Etna Green Asked To Establish Police Dept.
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
ETNA GREEN - Dissatisfied with what she terms a "rent-a-cop" agreement, an Etna Green resident wants the town to establish its own police department.
Kim Garey said at Tuesday's Etna Green Town Council meeting that she's concerned about the police protection in town, especially since she has been the victim of thefts and vandalism and knows that other thefts are occurring in town.
Etna Green does not have a town marshal and contracts with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department for police protection. Deputies from the KCSD sign up to work their off-duty hours patrolling Etna Green and are compensated at an hourly rate by the town.
At the request of town council president Eileen Hall, clerk-treasurer Laura Baker compiled some figures estimating the cost of setting up a police department for Etna Green. Such an addition to the town could cost an estimated $80,000. The figures were based on costs paid by area towns of similar size and were estimated for one full-time and one part-time officer.
Establishing a police department would increase the town's rate, and "not everyone would agree to an increase in taxes because some feel a need for an officer in town," Hall said. "I don't think it's as simple as saying, 'OK, let's get police protection.'"
Several other residents also attended the meeting to voice their opinions on the matter.
Carol Cummins said she moved to Etna Green from Marshall County two years ago to escape problems with gangs there and she's concerned with what's happening now in Etna Green.
"It's easy pickins' here because they're not getting penalized for what they're doing," Cummins said about the juveniles who have been causing problems in town.
While no action was taken on the issue, councilman Ruben "R.B." Conley thanked the residents for "keeping it on the burner."
The town will plan public meetings in the future to allow input into the matter.
In other business, the council approved a request for vacating two alleys despite objections by an adjacent landowner.
Attorney Larry Beeson presented the petition on behalf of Martha Burnett of Ind. 19. The two alleys, on the east and south sides of Burnett's property, are unimproved grassy areas that have been cared for by property owners for about 40 years, Beeson said.
Vernon Gardner told the council he is against vacating the alley and "I think it should stay as it is." Gardner said he "plans to maybe build something there ... and I don't want it messed up till I decide."
Council members agreed that closing the alleys would not affect any plans for construction on the property and town attorney Jay Rigdon said Gardner would end up with more land and more rights as a result of the vacation.
The council voted to spend $2,000, plus the costs for mileage, meals and accommodations, to send water and electric superintendent Randy Cloud to Cinergy line school.
The seven-week school has three weeks of training in Cincinnati, Ohio, and four weeks in Plainfield. The school runs from Sept. 25 to Nov. 9.
In additional matters, the council:
• Approved the purchase of a laser printer to accommodate changes in software through Keystone Consulting. The new software encompasses format changes and will be provided under the town's contract. However, it is necessary for a new printer for compatibility. The printer, from Staples, costs $399.
• Tabled a decision concerning placing a utility easement along 15 feet of the southern border of three lots owned by Garey. She and her husband object to the width of the easement and want to meet with the town attorney and council members before giving approval.
• Signed claim forms for payment to HRP Construction for $49,094.44 and $11,138.76 for an engineering inspection in connection with the ongoing sewer project. The bulk of the money in this payment is for concrete work and the main line to the south, according to Mark Sullivan of Commonwealth Engineering.
No payment has been made on a lift station that was improperly installed and sits cockeyed. Sullivan said he isn't sure whether the lift station will be repaired on site or pulled out and re-set.
"We recognize that there's a problem with it," Sullivan said. "The good news is that they recognize there's a problem with it."
• Tabled a decision to commit funds to Kosciusko Development Inc. Julie Van De Water asked the council for $500 to support KDI's goal to retain and expand existing industry and to attract new industry to the county. Council members said they want to read the literature provided on KDI before making a decision.
• Agreed to pay $9,300 to repair the town's bucket truck and $6,995 to repair the digger truck. The repairs are needed to keep the equipment safe and maintained.
• Gave the go-ahead for the Friends of Heritage Park to purchase windows for the park building at a cost of $3,125 from Lake City Builders.
The council will have a budget hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 29, with budget adoption scheduled for prior to the next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. Meetings take place in the fire station meeting room.
Council members are Hall, Conley and Jeff Klinefelter. [[In-content Ad]]
ETNA GREEN - Dissatisfied with what she terms a "rent-a-cop" agreement, an Etna Green resident wants the town to establish its own police department.
Kim Garey said at Tuesday's Etna Green Town Council meeting that she's concerned about the police protection in town, especially since she has been the victim of thefts and vandalism and knows that other thefts are occurring in town.
Etna Green does not have a town marshal and contracts with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department for police protection. Deputies from the KCSD sign up to work their off-duty hours patrolling Etna Green and are compensated at an hourly rate by the town.
At the request of town council president Eileen Hall, clerk-treasurer Laura Baker compiled some figures estimating the cost of setting up a police department for Etna Green. Such an addition to the town could cost an estimated $80,000. The figures were based on costs paid by area towns of similar size and were estimated for one full-time and one part-time officer.
Establishing a police department would increase the town's rate, and "not everyone would agree to an increase in taxes because some feel a need for an officer in town," Hall said. "I don't think it's as simple as saying, 'OK, let's get police protection.'"
Several other residents also attended the meeting to voice their opinions on the matter.
Carol Cummins said she moved to Etna Green from Marshall County two years ago to escape problems with gangs there and she's concerned with what's happening now in Etna Green.
"It's easy pickins' here because they're not getting penalized for what they're doing," Cummins said about the juveniles who have been causing problems in town.
While no action was taken on the issue, councilman Ruben "R.B." Conley thanked the residents for "keeping it on the burner."
The town will plan public meetings in the future to allow input into the matter.
In other business, the council approved a request for vacating two alleys despite objections by an adjacent landowner.
Attorney Larry Beeson presented the petition on behalf of Martha Burnett of Ind. 19. The two alleys, on the east and south sides of Burnett's property, are unimproved grassy areas that have been cared for by property owners for about 40 years, Beeson said.
Vernon Gardner told the council he is against vacating the alley and "I think it should stay as it is." Gardner said he "plans to maybe build something there ... and I don't want it messed up till I decide."
Council members agreed that closing the alleys would not affect any plans for construction on the property and town attorney Jay Rigdon said Gardner would end up with more land and more rights as a result of the vacation.
The council voted to spend $2,000, plus the costs for mileage, meals and accommodations, to send water and electric superintendent Randy Cloud to Cinergy line school.
The seven-week school has three weeks of training in Cincinnati, Ohio, and four weeks in Plainfield. The school runs from Sept. 25 to Nov. 9.
In additional matters, the council:
• Approved the purchase of a laser printer to accommodate changes in software through Keystone Consulting. The new software encompasses format changes and will be provided under the town's contract. However, it is necessary for a new printer for compatibility. The printer, from Staples, costs $399.
• Tabled a decision concerning placing a utility easement along 15 feet of the southern border of three lots owned by Garey. She and her husband object to the width of the easement and want to meet with the town attorney and council members before giving approval.
• Signed claim forms for payment to HRP Construction for $49,094.44 and $11,138.76 for an engineering inspection in connection with the ongoing sewer project. The bulk of the money in this payment is for concrete work and the main line to the south, according to Mark Sullivan of Commonwealth Engineering.
No payment has been made on a lift station that was improperly installed and sits cockeyed. Sullivan said he isn't sure whether the lift station will be repaired on site or pulled out and re-set.
"We recognize that there's a problem with it," Sullivan said. "The good news is that they recognize there's a problem with it."
• Tabled a decision to commit funds to Kosciusko Development Inc. Julie Van De Water asked the council for $500 to support KDI's goal to retain and expand existing industry and to attract new industry to the county. Council members said they want to read the literature provided on KDI before making a decision.
• Agreed to pay $9,300 to repair the town's bucket truck and $6,995 to repair the digger truck. The repairs are needed to keep the equipment safe and maintained.
• Gave the go-ahead for the Friends of Heritage Park to purchase windows for the park building at a cost of $3,125 from Lake City Builders.
The council will have a budget hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 29, with budget adoption scheduled for prior to the next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. Meetings take place in the fire station meeting room.
Council members are Hall, Conley and Jeff Klinefelter. [[In-content Ad]]