HEYWORTH - Heyworth's seven employees of the streets and water department apparently are joining a union.

Village Board members talked around the issue at times Monday, even tabling an action item because it may come up in negotiations.

During committee reports, Mayor Steve Crum formally announced employees have "decided to pursue the union side of things. They feel they need more benefits."

And while not much else was said, Crum made it clear he did not think it was a good idea.

"I don't think the employees are doing what's in their best interest," Crum added after the meeting.

City Attorney Geoff Dodds declined to comment. Calls to Village Superintendent Tony Foster were not returned.

At least one item on the agenda was tabled due to negotiations. The village was set to purchase red logo T-shirts and safety vests for staff, but decided to hold off in case it is part of a contract with the union.

Ambulance agreement

Village board members approved a one-year intergovernmental agreement with the Heyworth Ambulance Service, effective immediately.

Voters in November approved a 30 cent levy to fund the service, which stepped up coverage after Lifeline in Bloomington shut down. Tax dollars from that levy will not start flowing until 2009, so the city has approved up to $50,000 to pay EMTs until the service starts receiving tax dollars.

Real estate committee Chairman Todd Zalucha said the village was looking for a site to construct a building for the ambulance center. Zalucha said the idea for a combined emergency services building was floated, but fire officials were not interested. The village still may combine police and ambulance should a building go up.

Two potential sites for such a structure are on former railroad right-of-way between Route 136 and Cole Street; the other is next to city hall.

"I'd really like to see us concentrate on this property adjacent to city hall," said Crum. "We could have the entire city services and emergency services in one area.