With two councilmembers present, Durbin mayor Donald Peck and recorder Paul Ransom invoked their right to vote on items on the agenda in order to conduct the Durbin Town Council meeting Friday night.

Peck cited State code 8-9-2 which allows the mayor and recorder of a municipality to cast votes as members of the council when a quorum is not present.

Although councilmember Emma Grace Nottingham was present, she did not participate in the meeting, stating it was an illegal quorum.

Peck explained that because there are three vacant seats, it would be impossible to have a meeting to vote on replacements without the assistance of the recorder and himself as voting members.

Councilmember Gloria Ransom resigned her post in September, Don Jennings submitted a verbal resignation at the October 11 meeting and Paula Dilley will have to submit a resignation because she has moved out of the town limits.

In other action:

ﾕCouncil accepted Gloria Ransomﾒs resignation as a councilmember.

ﾕCouncil approved the first reading of the FEMA Flood Plain Ordinance. The ordinance had several amendments that are to be added to the townﾒs current ordinance.

ﾕTrick-or-Treat for Durbin on Saturday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. The Durbin Lions Club will have a costume contest and games at the Bartow-Frank-Durbin Fire Department after Trick-or-Treat.

ﾕA special meeting for Friday, October 29, at 7 p.m. to choose a new councilmember and to hold a second reading of the FEMA Flood Plain Ordinance.

ﾕCouncil approved a $100 donation to Jim VanReenen for the American flag frame and picture frame he made for council. The frames are for an American flag that was given to the town by the late Senator Robert C. Byrd and a letter that accompanied the flag.

ﾕPeck informed council that the town received the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for renovations to the town building, but was not able to say what amount the town received.

ﾕCouncil discussed the historic value of the streets and alleys in town. Councilmember John Osborne and resident Frank Proud agreed that signs with historic information should be added to the new street signs to share the history of Durbin.

ﾕPeck told council about items under the back porch at town hall. The items include wood, metal, terra-cotta pieces and parking meters. Members of the audience suggested the town try to sell the parking meters before scrapping them. Council agreed to sell the meters for $25. The other items will be disposed of properly.

ﾕPeck said a resident has voiced his concern over a tree on Fifth Avenue. Several of the trees limbs are hanging over the road and could cause damage if they break away from the tree. Council tabled the issue until pictures of the tree could be examined to determine the best way to deal with the limbs.

ﾕProud told council the gutters along the road need to be cleaned out before winter. Peck said the town worker is working on the issue.

ﾕCouncil held an executive session to discuss billing issues. No action was taken.

Durbin Town Council will meet in special session October 29 at 7 p.m.