Spencer Town Council focuses on history, blight, and utilities

The Spencer Town Council met July 20 for a wide-ranging session that blended historic preservation with practical municipal decision-making, ultimately approving every action item on the agenda with unanimous votes. The evening opened with routine business, including the swift approval of the previous meeting’s minutes and monthly claims, setting a tone of cooperation that lasted throughout the night.

A centerpiece of the meeting was the screening of a documentary exploring the history of Boone Cave and Spencer’s early black community. The film highlighted the migration of the Boone family and the life of Zila, a formerly enslaved woman who became a free black landowner in Spencer. Her legacy laid the foundation for a vibrant neighborhood complete with its own church, school, and cemetery.

The documentary also covered indigenous history and local Underground Railroad lore, earning high praise from council members for its educational value and cinematography.

In a related and emotional presentation, historian Elizabeth Mitchell addressed the council regarding the deteriorated condition of the Walden/Walder Wilson Cemetery, a historic burial ground for early black residents and Civil War veterans. Mitchell urged the town to assist in restoring dignity to the site by installing a new historical sign and supporting an unveiling ceremony planned for October. The council voiced strong support, discussing post installations and public outreach before unanimously approving the sign placement and municipal assistance for the event.

Attention then shifted to a long-standing nuisance property at 270 W. Market St. Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip and Ginger Kohr reviewed photographs detailing worsening structural decay, pest infestations, and overall neglect. Although property taxes remain current, attempts to reach the owner have been stymied by a complex network of LLCs.

Council members agreed that remediation efforts must proceed under proper legal channels regardless of owner participation.

The council also tackled paperwork regarding a redevelopment-linked loan still in the town’s name despite past shifts in property ownership. With new parties expressing interest in the location, the council voted unanimously to extend the loan agreement to avoid delays as the site is prepared for listing.

The Spencer Police Department (SPD) presented a comprehensive operational report, noting a strong applicant pool for open positions alongside several training and maintenance requests. The council approved three separate training items, including $360 to cover a cost increase for the Terrorism Liaison Officer program, $750 to certify two officers as pepper-spray instructors, and $175 for department-wide digital investigation training focused on social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok.

The SPD Chief Terry Sips also reported ongoing repairs to officer Chester Richardson’s truck, new engine issues in an older patrol car, lock and doorway repairs, and a lighting fix tied to a loose air duct. Drivers were reminded that the department’s mobile speed sign will be posted near the local school zone ahead of the upcoming academic year.

The sewer department presented urgent maintenance challenges, starting with a 20-year-old screening unit that requires cutting and welding for internal inspection, for which the council unanimously authorized $2,725. Additionally, two of the plant’s three blowers are out of service, with one requiring immediate repair.

Discussing past flooding that led to state inspections, officials noted ongoing efforts to negotiate fine reductions within an agreed order, adding that state inspectors commended the town’s proactive crisis response. To help department management handle sudden equipment emergencies without administrative delays, the council voted unanimously to raise the sewer department head’s spending limit from $1,200 to $3,000.

The street department reported an orderly county fair week with zero reports of vandalism. Crew updates noted a part-time worker away on National Guard duty, ongoing tree removal, and the removal of over 200 obsolete parking meters, with safety caps placed over the remaining posts. The council unanimously granted permission for the department to bring its new backhoe to the Back-to-School Expo for the “Touch-a-Truck” event.

Preparations are also nearly complete for a September Community Crossings Grant (CCMG) submission covering proposed paving on North Main, South Main, Demarcus Street (alleyway that runs east-west from the Historic Tivoli Theatre to S. Main St. behind VFW Post #1405, H&R Block, Spencer Pride, etc.), Circle Drive, Bob Babbs Drive, and Middle Street, carrying an estimated project cost of $184,584 and requiring a local match of $37,000. Meanwhile, another breakdown of the department’s Chevrolet Colorado truck sparked initial discussions regarding long-term fleet replacement plans versus ongoing repair costs.