CHAFFEE COUNCIL DECIDES TO BUY NEW COMPUTERS

CHAFFEE -- The city of Chaffee should have its new computer system in operation in about 30 days.

The city council voted Monday to purchase three IBM computer terminals for a total cost of $15,041. Included are two IBM 386 computers, one IBM 286 computer, and software.

The three computers will replace an obsolete computer system that was damaged by last November's fire at city hall. The city is now using rented computer equipment to do the city payroll, personal property and real-estate taxes, and water and sewer billing.

Councilman Ed Gauthier, a member of the computer search committee, told the council a large number of bids were received, but the best bid was that of Advanced Business Systems of Cape Girardeau. The purchase price includes a maintenance and service contract.

City Clerk Diane Eftink said one of the computers will be used to do the city payroll and ledger, including accounts receivable and payable. The second computer terminal will be used for personal property and real-estate tax billing, and the third will be used for water and sewer billings.

Due to the nature of the obsolete computer system the city was using, Gauthier said there will be a one-half month period when the rental computer and new IBM computers will be running at the same time. Gauthier explained the data in the old computer system will have to be printed out, then typed into the new computers where it will be stored on hard disk drives.

The council authorized the city's disaster preparedness director, Steve Graham, to spend up to $800 to mount and install a portable electrical generator and outlet panel on the emergency services truck now being developed. Graham said the generator was donated to the city by the Chaffee Lions Club.

Councilman Jerry Wolsey told the council last week's severe weather was a good example of the need for emergency services preparedness. "We need to continue building our program," he said, in support of emergency services preparedness.

The council received one bid of $16,739 from Rice Insurance for the city's public officials, police liability and police car and buildings insurance policy.

City Administrator Reece Brown announced work on the Heeb Creek bridge on Ponderosa Road has started. The old bridge is being replaced. Work is expected to be completed next week.

A letter was received from the Chaffee Housing Authority asking the city's help in hauling away old "white" appliances, such as stoves, washers and refrigerators. The council was told Sides Steel Supply & Metal Recycling in Cape Girardeau will accept these types of appliances.

James Chronister asked the council to look into a drainage ditch that was recently cleared, then partly filled-in in the alley behind his residence. The drainage ditch runs on the north side of the alley from 4th to 5th Street. Chronister said the filling of the ditch creates standing water problems. The issue was turned over to the Street Committee.