MORAN — Burn permits are a new feature of governance in Moran. Residents who burn lawn waste without one will risk being cited and fined.
On a motion by James Mueller, council members adopted a first-offense fine of $25.
Burn permits, good for four days, are free for the asking and can be completed in a few minutes, said City Clerk Lori Evans. Once on file a permit may be renewed with a telephone call to City Hall.
Burning is restricted to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with notification of the city just ahead of time so 911 dispatchers may be made aware.
Residents who burn also are expected to have a water source at hand in case a fire appears to be getting out of hand.
Following 25 minutes of executive sessions, council members said they would continue contract negotiations with LaHarpe Communications, which wants to put an antenna atop the town’s water tower. A decision may be made at the council’s June 2 meeting.
No summer help will be hired for routine maintenance and mowing. City Superintendent Mike Stodgill said a part-time employee wasn’t needed this summer, but might be in 2015 when several projects are anticipated.
Additional playground equipment for the city park was discussed, but a decision was delayed until June so council members may peruse catalogs. New swings are being considered, along with other toys. Mueller mentioned a climbing wall.
Discussions about consolidation of Moran and Marmaton and Osage townships volunteer fire departments are continuing, said Phillip Merkel, mayor and Moran fire chief.
