Coucil opts for new attorney during 15 minute meeting

If you showed up late to the Alberton Town Council meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4, you probably missed it.

With no sheriffs or justice court reports, nothing new to report on the 2011 sewer mandate and only one item on the agenda, the meeting lasted under 15 minutes - three minutes quicker than any other Alberton Mayor Joe Hanson has presided over. "My old record was 18 minutes," Hanson said near the end of the meeting and then asked if anybody wanted to talk about barking dogs to prolong the meeting.

Some in the crowd noted that it was not only the fastest town council meeting, but also the quietest. The one item on the agenda was the town attorney raising his hourly rate by $60. The amount the town pays to Ted Hess-Homeier had been a point of contention in the past for the town council. The issue seemingly dividing the council in two factions at their October meeting, when council member Dick Darne accused two other council members of spending unwarranted taxpayer dollars by calling the attorney. The increase in Hess-Homeier's fees, however, was handled amicably and quickly by the council.

In a letter sent to the mayor and council, dated Nov. 13, Hess-Homeier wrote, "I've been charging Alberton $90 per hour for some time now…I believe at this time most of my clients are paying either $175 per hour or more. Obviously, I can't afford to continue charging Alberton only $90 per hour." Hess-Homeier stated that 30 days after Nov. 13 he would begin charging Alberton $150 per hour.

"It looks like his way of quitting and saving face. I say heck with it; let's find a new attorney," said Darne. He said most the cases that Hess-Homeier had been handling seemed mundane. He said Hess-Homeier was only handling one criminal case, on which it appeared he was spending an exorbitant amount of time. Darne then motioned that the town find a new attorney.

Council member Julie Bunton requested that they try to find an attorney with experience in city council law, and the council voted unanimously to look for a new attorney. The decision ended Hess-Homeier's six-year tenure as the town's attorney. After the meeting, Hanson said Alberton can use the services of Mineral County Attorney M. Shaun Donovan until they find a new attorney.

In the fire department report, Frenchtown Fire Department Chief Scott Waldron said that it was the "car-wreck" time of the year and the department has been busy handling slide-offs and rollovers. He said it was also the time of year for chimney and structural fires, but so far they haven't had to respond to any.

Waldron reported that 12 people are enrolled in an EMT course the department is offering. He said four department members had also been certified as EMT intermediate 1. He said with the certification, the members can now provide things like cardiac medication or morphine on the scene. "We're able to supply a higher level of care than we have in the past on a 24-hour basis," he said.

Waldron said the fire department earned around $200,000 during the wildfire season. He said they will be using the money to replace some of the department's engines. He said they've order the chassis for a new Type 6 wildland engine. He said they are putting together the specifications for a Type 3 engine, which has a 500 gallon tank. He said both engines will be built by the department in order to save money.

The Alberton Town Council will meet again at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Senior Center in Alberton.