Charge For New Ambulance Service Fund Starts In January

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer-

NORTH MANCHESTER - General Ordinance No. 7 passed unanimously Wednesday, and North Manchester residents will see the $2.50 monthly charge in January.

The town council approved the law without dissent during the public hearing.

The charge is based on a per-dwelling unit and will pay for the new ambulance service fund. Residents will see the increase on their water bills.

In November, local business owners opposed the ordinance's initial wording. Commercial businesses were to be charged $30 per month per water meter. Industrial businesses could have seen a $75 monthly charge.

The three tax-exempt organizations - Manchester College, Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home Inc., and Peabody Retirement Community - stepped in and doubled their monthly contributions. That, in turn, lowered the cost for residents and businesses.

In another matter, Mike Brown, representative of Manchester Main Street Inc. and local business owner, said the town should set guidelines to protect the character of the downtown.

Town officials and CVS are talking about building a store at Mill and Main streets.

Brown handed out a prototype picture of the pharmaceutical company's proposed building.

"CVS is a cause for concern," Brown said.

It could damage the "Victorian village" mystique of the downtown area, he said.

Richard Deneve, a local homeowner, said CVS would benefit the downtown. But he was upset at the length of the process - 15 months.

The talks are "light years from where (the town) would like," council president Don Rinearson said. But the town is working to bring the building's style closer to the downtown facade.

In other business, the town council:

• Heard from Public Safety Director Jack Fetrow that police officer Mark Henderson is resigning. He will be the Wabash County Jail commander. Fetrow also will resign Jan. 1.

• Members retained the same positions at Wednesday's year-end council elections. Don Rinearson is president and Stan Escott is vice president.

North Manchester town council includes president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner and Bill Hix. The town attorney is Charles Tiede. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. [[In-content Ad]]

NORTH MANCHESTER - General Ordinance No. 7 passed unanimously Wednesday, and North Manchester residents will see the $2.50 monthly charge in January.

The town council approved the law without dissent during the public hearing.

The charge is based on a per-dwelling unit and will pay for the new ambulance service fund. Residents will see the increase on their water bills.

In November, local business owners opposed the ordinance's initial wording. Commercial businesses were to be charged $30 per month per water meter. Industrial businesses could have seen a $75 monthly charge.

The three tax-exempt organizations - Manchester College, Timbercrest Church of the Brethren Home Inc., and Peabody Retirement Community - stepped in and doubled their monthly contributions. That, in turn, lowered the cost for residents and businesses.

In another matter, Mike Brown, representative of Manchester Main Street Inc. and local business owner, said the town should set guidelines to protect the character of the downtown.

Town officials and CVS are talking about building a store at Mill and Main streets.

Brown handed out a prototype picture of the pharmaceutical company's proposed building.

"CVS is a cause for concern," Brown said.

It could damage the "Victorian village" mystique of the downtown area, he said.

Richard Deneve, a local homeowner, said CVS would benefit the downtown. But he was upset at the length of the process - 15 months.

The talks are "light years from where (the town) would like," council president Don Rinearson said. But the town is working to bring the building's style closer to the downtown facade.

In other business, the town council:

• Heard from Public Safety Director Jack Fetrow that police officer Mark Henderson is resigning. He will be the Wabash County Jail commander. Fetrow also will resign Jan. 1.

• Members retained the same positions at Wednesday's year-end council elections. Don Rinearson is president and Stan Escott is vice president.

North Manchester town council includes president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner and Bill Hix. The town attorney is Charles Tiede. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. [[In-content Ad]]

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