Town of Esto welcomes back Madden and Daniels

ESTO – One of the many exciting topics during the Town of Esto’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3, was the swearing in of returning Council members Darlene Madden in Seat 4 and James Daniels in Seat 2.

Danny Powell was voted to remain as President and Madden was voted to remain as Vice President.

Also voted to remain was Esto Fire Chief Charles Corcoran.

Madden also announced that preparations for the revival of the Two-Toed Tom Festival were coming along with “amazing support,” and that a request for a possible $10,000 BP festival grant is being written.

“Its going great,” said Madden. “We still need sponsors, but based on the amount of support we have I think it’s going to be a great success.”

Madden said that the Two-Toed Tom Festival Committee meets ever Thursday at the Town Hall at 4 p.m.

The festival is scheduled to be held at John Clark Park in Esto on April 14-15. The festival will feature vendors, live music, children’s events and other events. Vendors and musical acts are being sought. For information call Lanette Wells at (850) 263-4420, or email at twotoedtomfest@yahoo.com. or visit the website at twotoedtomfest.com.

City Attorney Jeff Goodman advised that the committee focus on several sets of goals, long term and short term, and begin presenting them to the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners for moral and possible financial support.

“I see you’ve got a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of excited people, we just need to lay out what your expectations are and define what your goals are,” said Goodman. “That way you know whether you met or exceeded your event’s expectations. You don’t want your first year back to be your greatest success, you want it to be good and then become progressively better and grow from year to year.”

Council discussed that a Dollar General might be coming to Esto and the only concern was with the store selling beer.

Goodman reviewed the town ordinances and found that the store would be in compliance with the ordinance restricting the amount of locations allowed to sell beer per population, but that it was too soon to be taking action since the town had not be approached by a Dollar General representative yet.

Powell also pointed out that there would be within 1,000 feet of a residential area and that too could be a possible violation of the ordinance.

“If they want to do anything in the Town of Esto, they will first have to come through the town council,” said Goodman. “I think we should wait till we’re approached before we look into the matter too deeply.”

Council approved of raising the deposit to rent the Esto Recreational Center from $25 to $50 and requiring a copy of the renter’s driver’s license.

“During the entire time we’ve rented out this recreational center, we’ve only had one to ever give us trouble,” said Town Clerk Jody Sellers.

Powell said that he thought if the town explained that the council reviewed possibly raising rates to the recreational center and decided that they would only go up on the deposit, then people would understand.

“It is the deposit, which means they will be getting that money back,” said Goodman. “And if they’re doing what they’re suppose to they won’t have to worry about the increase.”

The rental amount remains the same: $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents.

Council also approved of the new rules for the recreational center: 1. Clean off and put away all tables; 2. Sweep floor; 3. Turn off air conditioner or heater at switch box (4 breakers); 4. Turn off all lights; 5. Take your trash out with you; 6. Lock all doors and windows; 7. Positively no profanity; 8. No smoking in building; 9. No alcoholic beverages allowed on premises; 10. Not responsible for accidents; 11. Absolutely no parking on grass; 12. Cleaned up and locked by midnight of day of rental.

Council agreed to look into Madden’s request to have something at the town hall for the sheriff’s office to be able to use and announce that the sheriff’s office was a regular presence in the Town of Esto.

“Maybe we could put something on the building and set them up a table inside where they could have some coffee and have a little space of his own,” said Madden. “Just want to make their presence known and it would be nice if one day we could have a sheriff of our own.”

Daniels announced that Roger Sasser was thinking about selling all of the lots including the one that the post office was sitting on.

“The Town of Esto might want to buy that property in case we want to grow,” said Madden.

Powell agreed that it would be a good investment if the city could afford the land and that the city should investigate it further before making any decisions.

Fire Chief Corcoran gave his report, saying that the county sent the fire department $6,000, which eliminated the deficit that was created in the last year.

He said he was going to send some of the fire fighters to a technical school in Ocala.

“Its been two years since we’ve had anyone advance from Fire Fighter I to Fire Fighter II and I want to keep pushing for their advancement,” said Cocoran. “I also wanted to thank you for the approval of the bonuses from the last meeting. It helps keep the hard core workers with us.”

He reported that for the year 2011 there was a total of 140 runs, which is down.

“We’re ending the year on a high note and we’re looking forward to an even better year to come,” said Cocoran. “We also wanted to thank the town for the help with the Esto Christmas, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Council is also researching about possibly placing “Welcome to Esto” signs in brick at the city limits.

Bringing Bingo to the Recreation Center was tabled for further discussion.

A couple of residents have cut their lock off of their water meters, which were put on for non-payment.

Goodman advised that the action was considered to be destruction of county property and it was a criminal offence and punishable by a fine for restitution and criminal action.

“From now on the one placing the lock on the water meter needs to be accompanied by a deputy to show that the town means business,” said Goodman.