Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Water bills late due to weather

Gurdon's Water System reported some of the water bills are being sent out late due to the winter weather hampering the meter reading.

This was part of the discussion at the regular monthly meeting of the Gurdon City Council, Monday, March 17.

City Marshal Don Childres reported sending the police department's broken radar gun off to be fixed. He thanked Henry Bell the department for his generosity enabling the department to get the radar gun repaired.

Fire Chief Jake McBride also reported ordering the new nozzle for the fire department, purchased by Bell also. McBride said the nozzle should be shipped by Wednesday, March 19.

McBride said he had been working with Jim Burns to set up a system where residents not living within the Gurdon fire district could receive fire protection from Gurdon as long as they pay dues and specifically request Gurdon to respond.

Council member Rev. Ronald Scott asked the council if there was any way to get more money in the street department fund in order to pave some of the streets on the south side of town.

Gurdon Mayor Clayton Franklin said he would love to fix several streets in town, however, the funds just are not there at this time.

Franklin said, "According to last year's reports, it cost $50,000 to pave one mile."

Street Department Manager Jim Caldwell said he felt it would cost more than that this year. Caldwell also suggested he and Franklin possibly meet with Clark County Judge Ron Daniels to see about help from the county.

D.W. Bryan reported the status of the Rose Hedge Cemetery. Bryan said a funeral was held a few weeks ago where the funeral director became stuck having to call Rickett's Wrecker Service to come and pull the vehicle out.

"It really tore the ground up out there. It cost us a lot of money to fix the damage they did. I am wondering if there is any way we can charge them for the damage they did?"

Franklin said the city could send a letter to the funeral home for the charges of making the necessary repairs.

In past council meetings the cemetery is been a big discussion to try and find ways to generate more money for the cemetery to operate on.

Franklin said, "Here's the way I see it. Will keep letting Billy (Billy Francis) mow the grounds. We will start charging $100 to open a grave although dues have been paid and plots purchased. We will also notify everyone with plots to see what we can do to figure more ways to raise money. We can raise the price of buying new plots to $150. We will draft a letter to the funeral homes telling them they are responsible for damage done to the grounds during funerals and let them know there will be a $100 charge for opening a grave."

Carroll Martin, Gurdon's Animal Control Officer, reported picking 29 dogs since January and charging $425 in fines to the owners of some of the dogs.

Martin said the city was out $39.89 for two months worth of burning euthanized animals.

Franklin asked Martin how many animals had been euthanized. Martin said in one burning there was 472 pounds and the second was 688 pounds.

No new business was discussed nor did anyone have questions on the old business.