Port Washington delays passage of animal legislation
At the request of Mayor Tom Gardner, Port Washington Village Council agreed to delay passing an ordinance on keeping farm animals within village limits. The proposed ordinance, due for its third and final reading that night, would amend an existing ordinance to include a grandfather clause for a resident who has had a horse for many years. Such language had been unintentionally omitted from the ordinance when it was originally passed.
The request came after village resident Jamie Lawver voiced her opinion on housing chickens at the June 3 council meeting. Lawver said she did not see the harm with allowing residents to have chickens in town. She also wondered why there was no grandfather clause allowing chickens.
It was noted Lawver has been keeping chickens in violation of the current village ordinance, which has been in force for many years. After a lengthy discussion, the matter was tabled, and Village Solicitor Mark Perlaky was asked to research and bring forth additional information on allowing and regulating chickens within the village corporation limits.
The measure will receive its third reading prior to a vote at the next council meeting.
Reports to council
Police Chief Rocky Dusenberry led a discussion about reducing the department to three employees and what their duties would entail. Finance committee member Brandie Bourne proposed raising the police chief’s pay from $25 per hour to $30 per hour. She also proposed a rate of pay for the newly created deputy police chief of $28 per hour while keeping the pay for patrol officers at $21 per hour. All three positions are part-time. No action was taken.
Income Tax Administrator Donna Meek reported approximately $11,000 is still owed to the village in delinquent income tax. Council discussed proceeding with court action against delinquent tax filers.
Mayor’s assistant DJ Meek said paperwork was signed for the partial release of grant monies for the sidewalk project. A walk-through of the sidewalk project will be conducted in the near future to identify trees for removal.
Gardner said he has been in contact with property owner Owen Miller concerning grass mowing on several properties in the village and that Miller said he will resolve the issues.
Council member Nate Penrod inquired as to whether a revision should be made to the mowing ordinance to enforce stricter penalties, but no action was taken. Penrod also reported receiving a complaint of trash on First Street.
Council President Joe Bourne said the recent paving project went smoothly and is complete.
Voting
Council approved the following:
—An ordinance on an emergency basis reducing the composition of the village police department to three part-time employees: a police chief, a deputy police chief and one patrol officer.
—A request by Donna Meek to attend an income tax seminar at the cost of $200.
—Payment of $10,248 for an annual insurance premium through Whitaker-Myers Insurance on an emergency basis.
Port Washington Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Village Hall. All meetings are open to the public.