By Lukas Brinkerhoff

September 21, 2007 | WELLSVILLE -- Concern over how money directed to the Wellsville Fire Department will be dispersed was voiced by Wellsville City Manager Don Hartle Wednesday at the City Council meeting.

The money in question is funds from Cache County paid to the city to compensate for use of the department's trucks and equipment during fires, said Hartle.

Hartle said the city could increase the department's budget but could not pay the money directly to them. "I won't give them the money, it is against the law for my job to give them the money," Hartle said.

The council voiced concern over the department's understanding of how the funds will be dispersed and used. Councilman Lynn P. Cooper said the council needed to make sure the fire department understands the system and how it works so they can know how the money will be utilized.

The Fire Department was unavailable for comment.

The council, after receiving public input, denied a request by Kimberly Phipps to rezone her acre to 1/4-acre lots. Phipps told the council her intent was to build one more home for herself on the lot and made it clear she was not asking for special treatment.

Brenda Hawker, speaking for the neighbors, said they preferred the property not change due to concerns over septic tanks, the access road and the effect it would have on their rural setting.

In other business, the council:
-- discussed the odor coming from Northern Utah Manufacturing.
-- received public input for an amendment to the sign code.
-- received JUB Engineering's update on their analysis of the sewer and lagoon systems.

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