ETNA GREEN — Etna Green Town Council discussed the possibility of installing a portable mural in town during a meeting Tuesday.
Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe attended the meeting. Etna Green participated in the county's Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, but did not receive any funding due to circumstances, according to Roe.
Roe said several citizens participated in community meetings to discuss possible projects. One of the projects Roe is working to see completed is the creation of a portable mural. The proposed artist is Justin Vining, who is now Indianapolis-based, but grew up in Etna Green.
Roe has been working alongside Councilwoman Susan Klinefelter on the proposal and noted an anonymous male donor provided seed money to go toward a grant for funding the mural.
"That individual is very passionate about helping to move one of these projects forward," said Roe about the donor.
The town is considering placing the mural at the post office, with the design to reflect historical landmarks reminiscent of Etna Green. Ideas included a historic view of Main Street, a train and old gas pumps. Next steps for the project include determining the final cost and seeking a grant.
In other business, Amber Nielsen, with Baker Tilly, attended the meeting to provide an annual update on the town's water and sewer systems. She noted the fund balance for Etna Green's water has decreased over the last couple months and attributed that loss to disbursements outpacing receipts by about $20,000.
"If that trend continues, the fund balances will continue to decrease," said Nielsen.
Nielsen said Etna Green is receiving less revenue from Winona Powder Coating and has seen an increase in expenses due to the town's partnership with Astbury Water Technology. She suggested the town complete a rate study for the water system by early 2025.
Council President Heath Roberts said a rate increase would be inevitable anyway since improvements are needed for the town's water system. Councilman Keith Claassen said the rate study should be completed sooner rather than later.
Nielsen will work with Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook to get the most recent numbers for the town's water in order to look at a rate study.
The council also approved modifying a letter regarding an upcoming income study for town residents. Roberts will be attending a meeting on Sept. 12 to continue the process of working for funding from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for utility projects.
Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers Inc., attended the council meeting. He told the council the town has to meet a certain quota for survey completions and encouraged residents to be accurate and thorough with the survey when they receive it.
Discussions from the last couple months regarding work assistance for Town Superintendent Bryan Long also continued. Claassen asked Roberts and Klinefelter about hiring a second full-time employee. The town currently has a second employee who only works part-time at 30 hours per week.
Roberts said he didn't want to make a rash decision on hiring someone and told the council he had talked with representatives for the town of Argos.
Argos has also partnered with Astbury, and Roberts said Argos was happy with that partnership. Claassen noted Argos has more town employees than Etna Green does.
"(The partnership with Astbury) takes away the responsibility of the town having to deal with it, so that way we don't have these problems we've had in the past," said Roberts.
"The citizens in town are going to be paying through the nose for water and wastewater," said Claassen about the partnership.
"Having employees would be a third of the cost of Astbury," said Cook.
Klinefelter and Roberts both said they wanted to further study the financial aspect of hiring a second full-time employee before making a decision.
The council will also be scheduling work sessions, which will occur outside of regular council meetings, to begin working on addressing differences between Etna Green's employee handbook and town ordinances.
Council also:
• Announced hydrant flushing will take place from Monday, Sept. 23, to Thursday, Sept. 26.
• Announced trick-or-treat times will be from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Immediately after trick-or-treat, the Lions Club of Etna Green will host its annual hayride event at Heritage Park.
• Had a first reading for the 2025 budget, which will officially be approved in October.
• Approved sending a letter to the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission allowing the Etna Green Mobile Home Park to move a building from Lot 31 to 43. The park's owners said it is a newer and smaller structure.
The council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 in Etna Green Town Hall.