At the regular meeting of the Holton Town Board on September 13, those in attendance learned that trains will increase in both traffic and speed as they come through Holton.

Town Marshal Bob Curl announced that CSX Railroad is laying new railroad ties from Cincinnati to Louisville and replacing all railroad crossings. He said the project is to be completed by the end of the year.

CSX plans to increase train traffic in the area from two trains a day to up to five trains a day. Marshal Curl also noted that CSX is planning to increase the speed these trains travel from 25 miles per hour to 40 . Curl advised motorists and pedestrians to take caution, slow down and stop trying to beat the trains across the tracks.

In other business of importance to Holton water and sewage users is the new billing concept.

The Holton Sewage Works has contracted their monthly billing to the Holton Community Water Company. Water and sewage service will be combined into one bill effective January 1, 2013. This means that beginning January 1, 2013, sewer customers will receive one bill from Holton Community Water for both water and sewage use. The bill will only be payable at the Holton Community Water office. Payments will no longer be accepted at the Holton Sewer office or drop box. The Napoleon State Bank will no longer accept sewer payments.

Billing procedures will follow the current rules of the Holton Community Water Company. Customers who do not pay their monthly sewer charges, will be subject to disconnection of water services. All accounts must have a zero balance by December 31, 2012. Any accounts that have a remaining balance on January 1, 2013, will be subject to a lien against the property. Until January 1, 2013, sewer payments should continue to be paid in the usual manner. Customers will receive a letter detailing these changes. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Holton Sewer Office at 689-3569.

The town board gave unanimous approval for Gretchen Moore, town clerk, to work with the Holton Community Water Company an additional 20 hours a month, which amounts to about two days a week.

Mary McCarty, representative from the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, held an official public hearing to assist the town with grants for town residents who need repairs on their homes.

McCarty is actively helping 12 families in the Holton area at this time. To move on to Phase 2 of the grant process, a hearing was required. These are homes that must be occupied, damaged in the tornado, and in need of no more than $20,000 in repairs. The income limit qualifications for Ripley County and the Holton area are as follows:

Annual income limits for one person is $33,500.00. For two people, it is $38,300.00. For three people, it is $43,100.00. For four people, it is $47,850.00. These amounts go all the way up to 8 people in a family. The homeowner must live in the house, have the property insured for at least two years, and have proof of ownership. People in need of these repairs can still apply for help, but soon the applications will be closed to new applicants.

In order for McCarty to move on to Phase 2 of this project, the town board needed to sign a resolution authorizing McCarty to proceed. This was unanimously approved and signed by all members. Further statements to adhere to all federal guidelines and to approve a Local Displacement Plan were signed by Andy Stratton, board president. Certification for grant requirements was signed by both Andy Stratton and Gretchen Moore, town clerk. There will be another public hearing about this matter, as required, and the town will pay the fee of $62.50 to advertise this public meeting.

According to Cynthia Melton from Long Term Recovery Group, Project Aftermath from Homeland Security has asked approval to have a workshop for anyone involved in the tornado and anyone else in the county who is interested as to what a family should have and know in the event of an emergency such as a tornado. Plans are to hold this workshop on October 10 in the evening.

The Long Term Recovery Group is now accepting bids for foundations on two houses that are coming to Holton. According to Philip Diewert, committee member, Crossroads Missions is donating a lot of the materials by getting a list of what is needed. Then, they even build exterior and interior walls in advance and deliver them to the home site. All wall units being donated like this saves about $6,500 per house.

The first couple of houses are scheduled to be done by mid-October and five more will be finished by mid-November. The Mennonite Disaster Service, along with several churches in the area will be doing the interior work. Survey work is being done by Jeff French, county surveyor. At least three homes in town may be condemned but a licensed building inspector will be doing the inspections.

According to Bob McCreary, pastor at Holton Christian Church, volunteers will have a place to stay at the church. The church has a donated shower trailer for volunteer use.

The park update is that the rest of the playground equipment is due to arrive and be installed any day. The playground is ready for mulch, which should be completed before bad weather. Patterson Nursery was unanimously given the mulch job at a price of $2,495.00. This will be certified playground mulch. Unanimous approval was given to purchase a new water fountain for the park at the cost of $399.00 with free shipping.

In other news, unanimous approval was given for the following:

• The town will pay 12% of the Edit funds to pay annual dues to the Annual Interlocal account with the Ripley County Economic Development Corporation.

• Approval for the contract for Mark Salyers, town sewer maintenance employee, to be renewed for three more years starting January 1, 2013.

• Approval to re-hire Jimmy Adkins as of September 14, 2012, as a town maintenance employee.

• Several funds were approved for transfer to meet the various financial obligations of the town.

Under information items:

• Ron Downey, town employee, signed an agreement with CSX Railroad to get some used rocks left from the railroad crossing repairs.

• Brooks and Earl, construction company from North Vernon, have completed work on a faulty manhole.

• The Town of Holton did receive FEMA funds in the amount of $41,000.00.

• There are still some concerns about the amount of street lights that are not working in the town.

Those attending the meeting were Gretchen Moore, Angi Farrell, Andy Stratton, and Paul Hughes.

The next regular meeting of the Holton Town Board will be October 11 at 6:30 for adoption of the budget and at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting.