ETNA GREEN - Preliminary and final plat approval was granted Tuesday by the Etna Green Town Council for the proposed Windridge Addition at the intersection of CRs 1050W and 250N, Etna Green.

Garry and Becky Baker have been working toward developing the subdivision for more than a year and consulting engineer Larry Long of Warsaw represented the Bakers in their petition.

The preliminary plat is for the general subdivision and the final plat is for the nine lots which initially will be developed. Three-fourths of the 63 acres is expected to be developed in a long-term plan, with a total of 72 lots planned.

The area was annexed into the town in December, and the Bakers hope to break ground on the project this spring. The subdivision, south of the former town limits, is just beyond Heritage Park. Two entrances - both off CR 1050W - are planned for the addition.

Concerns about the future of agricultural neighbors were allayed by explanations of the protective covenants incorporated into the deeds for the properties. Anyone purchasing a lot in the subdivision must agree not to remonstrate against neighboring agricultural activity.

The minimum lot size in the addition is 15,000 square feet, a review committee will review the types of houses built there and other restrictions are detailed in the protective covenants.

Long also explained plans for storm drainage, types of soil on the property, topography and that the addition will have town water, sewer and electric.

In other business, the council opened bids for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project.

The four bids received, ranging from $662,925 to $867,048, were taken under advisement and will be reviewed by the town attorney and project engineer before a recommendation is made as to which bid the council should accept.

The bids also included an alternative for a pumping station at CRs 1050 and 250N. Those bids ranged from $120,114 to $166,496.

The council also tabled instituting the water rate increase, following John Julian's suggestion that the council hold off and coordinate the increase with the wastewater project.

Julian, of H.J. Umbaugh & Associates, said a review of the water utility showed changes that resulted in both positive and negative impacts. A written review of Julian's analysis was submitted for review.

In other matters, the council:

• Announced receipt of a $10,000 donation from CSX Railroad. The rail service recently purchased the rail line that goes through Etna Green. Half of the money will go to pay off the debt on the water/sewer expansion for Schult Homes. The other half will go into the park fund.

• Turned over resumes received for the soon-to-be vacant water and electric superintendent position to the incoming council for review and interviewing prospective candidates. Rich Walls has announced plans to leave the job.

• Approved discontinuing utility payments at National City Bank. Clerk-treasurer Laura Baker said there have been problems with tracking and posting payments for the past year. The change is effective with the December billing. All utility bills should be paid at the clerk's office.

• Agreed to pay $8,079 for liability insurance for the town and $3,168 for Worker's Compensation insurance. Both policies are through Beauchamp-McSpadden, Warsaw.

• Announced that Purdue University is hosting an informational meeting on wellhead protection from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Munson Building in Warsaw.

• Set an adoption hearing for 6 p.m. Nov. 23 for electric rates.

• Approved purchase of a laptop computer and software for the water and sewer departments at a cost of $3,530.

The next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 in the fire station meeting room. [[In-content Ad]]