South English Hires New City Clerk

SOUTH ENGLISH – During the August 14 meeting of the South English City Council, the council interviewed city clerk candidate Stephanie Lown. Current clerk Alexia Van Dyke explained that her mother, who lives in Canada, had cancer, and that the stress and time commitment of being a city clerk in addition to her day job was overwhelming. Lown explained that she lived in North English. She had worked at her previous job for twenty years, but recently left after they reduced their workforce, in return for a severance package. She explained that her parents are getting old, with her father beginning to develop dementia, and need someone to help take care of them part time. Lown explained she had 30 years of customer service experience, including accounting and bookkeeping training that Van Dyke lacks, and described herself as jack of all trades. The council offered to pay North English City Clerk Tara Heyne to consult and train Lown.

Councilman Cameron Miller raised concerns that Lown might leave after only a few months because of family problems. Lown stated she did not have plans to go anywhere. She stated a 40 hour a week job was too much, but that she needed something to keep her busy, balanced and focussed.

Van Dyke stated that clerk hours vary from week to week, but are usually around 40 hours a month. Van Dyke stated that she is currently paid $600 per month. Lown requested $850 a month, due to her accounting experience. The council approved hiring Lown.

Librarian Marianne Burque stated that reshelving of books at the library was going well and would be done by the next week. Councilwoman Hope Frazier asked about leaves and cobwebs in the library; Burque stated they would be cleaned. Lown recommended reaching out to English Valleys and requesting students volunteer to clean the library for silver cord hours.

Burque stated that one woman had been sending too many books to the library, which the city does not have space for, and that she had told the woman they cannot accept books anymore. Burque stated that the city was past the deadline for tier one funding in 2025 and would not be able to get funding until 2026 at the earliest. She explained that, to get back funding, the library will need a director and programs like a summer reading program. Chandra Harper, one of the members chosen for the new library board, informed the council that she had found everyone needed for the board. The appointment of the new library board will be voted on at the next meeting.

The council discussed spending the $30,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds the city has to renovate the roadside park. Miller stated that, if the ARPA money is not spent soon, it will be taken back by the government. The council looked over two bids to either repair or replace the gazebo in the park and three bids for different upgrades at the snow plow shed. The council approved a $12,580 bid to replace the gazebo, a $6,400 bid for spray foam insulation in the shed, and a $2,825 bid for a heater in the shed. A $9,100 bid for installing tin in the shed was tabled, after Councilman Nick Frazier stated he believed the city could find cheaper metal for the shed.