By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - Cassopolis councilmember Walter Malone's motion to terminate participation in SWET was approved at Monday evening's meeting.
In the past, Cassopolis Police has provided an officer who receives half his salary from the village and half from the program coordinated with the Michigan State Police, which targets finding drug operations.
Since tax money already goes toward the county's drug team, councilmember Leon Gilliam agreed with Malone.
Malone also is seeking to replace the village attorney Bill Lawrence with Mark Harmon, though no decision has yet been made.
In other business the board set the salary for the interim Department of Public Works superintendent at $38,000. Ron Bass was appointed at a special meeting in December to fill the role of Dan Bates, who resigned.
Council members were appointed to various committees by Village President Michelle Andrews. The council is also seeking volunteers from the community who wish to serve on these advisory boards. Applications are available in the clerk's office.
Mickey Bittner from Wightman and Associates told the council a new master plan for the parks should be completed quickly, in order to apply for a matching grant program, which needs to be completed by April 1.
Clerk Paula Beauchamp reported auditors will be working this week. The general ledger, she added, is not completed due to a snag in the program. She expects to be ready by the March council meeting.
The council is also looking for a replacement for Art Sciorra, village manager, who is leaving to take a position in New York. The village will be assisted by a consultant from the Michigan Municipal League.
The council will meet on either Jan. 18 or 19 to hear a presentation on a new server, followed by a work session.