NORTH MANCHESTER - At Wednesday night's meeting, the North Manchester Town Council approved preliminary engineering contracts not to exceed $28,000 with Jones and Henry.
Jones and Henry will plan sewer and water main valve relocations on South and Wabash streets. These utility mains must be moved due to an upcoming bridge reconstruction scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
On third reading, the council approved resolutions to allow alcohol to be served at upcoming Manchester Alive- and North Manchester Center for History-sponsored events, with Laura Rager abstaining her vote on the latter.
The council heard Imagine One 85 updates from Alex Downard. The project is a collaborative effort between the community foundation, Grow Wabash County and various stakeholders to reverse population decline in Wabash County. Downard said the county's population grew by 185 people in 2021 and by 190 people in 2022.
The council heard a funding request from Julie Garber for the Operation Change the Future project, an early childhood development coalition that would provide adequate wages for childcare workers and scholarship opportunities for children between fourth and eighth grade. Garber requested a three-year commitment of $10,000 per year, which the council will consider next month.
In other business:
• Following his passing on July 10, K9 Officer Strider was added to the End of Watch plaque outside the public safety building.
• Clerk-Treasurer Carrie Mugford reported a 4% growth quotient for North Manchester and said the 2024 budget process is going well.
• There was a town docket of $700,327.03 and a utilities docket of $309,229.62.
The Council will next meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 6.