Durbin councilmembers voted to hire Mayor Donald Peck as the coordinator of Durbin Days Heritage Festival 2010 at the meeting Monday.

Council advertised the position and the only application received was from Peck.

Councilmembers voiced their concerns about a conflict of interest and Don Jennings said that they need to send a letter to the ethics commission, explaining the situation and state that hiring the mayor as coordinator will not conflict with his duties.

Peck will be paid $500 for the position.

In other updates:

ﾕ Council adopted the FEMA flood plain ordinance to replace the town's current flood plain ordinance.

ﾕ Peck told council the town's 2010-2011 budget is due to the state office in Charleston March 28. Council asked him to contact the state budget office to request an auditor to help with preparation of the budget.

ﾕ Councilmember John Osborne addressed council with his concerns about the decorum of his fellow town officials. He requested that all councilmembers act professionally at all public forums and leave any personal matters to be discussed privately.

ﾕ The duties of treasurer Veronica Lane were discussed. Mayor Peck said he does not agree with Lane taking bills and checks home. She explained that she was trained by the former treasurer who did most of her work at home. Council agreed to draft a job description for Lane, asked her to set hours at the town office and told her that all work for the town must be done in the office.

ﾕ Council discussed the Mayor's request for a raise. It was agreed that the budget does not have room for a raise at this time. Councilmembers did vote to pay the mayor, recorder and treasurer 42-cents per mile for all trips made for town business. A raise for the mayor and other town officials will be considered next year.

ﾕ Osborne informed council that a new resident of Durbin has a wolf/dog hybrid as a pet. He voiced concern about safety for town residents and said his daughter was bitten by the animal. A town resident added that he saw the animal running around town, dragging its leash behind it.

ﾕ Town employee Tim Starks, with the help of councilmember Paula Dilley, asked council to look at prices for a new town truck. Starks suggested purchasing a diesel truck because it would require less maintenance. Council agreed to review their options and decide where to purchase the truck.

ﾕ Dilley presented a soil sample to council and asked their opinion of its contents. She took the sample from a resident's garage and they are uncertain if it is from a sewage leak or if it is simply soil. Councilmembers smelled the sample and said they would have Starks go to the residence to inspect the leak.