Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - Notices will be sent to three residents who have failed to comply with the town's junk vehicle and trash ordinances.
One man has exceeded his deadline for compliance and the other two residents are supposed to have their properties cleaned up by the end of the week, according to discussions during Tuesday's Etna Green Town Council meeting.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon will send letters to the violators if compliance isn't met by Friday. The letters will notify the residents that a $10-per-day fine will be assessed until they are in compliance with the ordinances.
Jeff Klinefelter was hesitant to agree to the enforcement for one of the properties because the man reportedly uses an engineless vehicle parked at his home for parts. Rigdon said it doesn't matter what the vehicle is used for -- if it's inoperable, it's junk and in violation of the town ordinance.
Town council president Eileen Hall said the ordinance must be enforced uniformly or not at all.
In other business, the council approved the purchase of a "Muffin Monster" for the sewage treatment plant. The quote for the macerator - a piece of machinery that chews raw sewage - came in at $12,115. The only other quote, for a Super Shredder, was $1,000 more than the Muffin Monster.
The macerator will be purchased from JWC Environmental and is necessary for grinding and moving the sewage. Currently, the waste is being moved through the system at that point by hand.
Town employees will install the equipment.
In additional town business, the council:
• Announced that the consumer confidence reports on the town's water supply will be mailed this year instead of hand-delivered. The report will be completed in the near future and made available to residents.
• Proposed looking into replacing the town pickup. The current vehicle is 10 years old and is beginning to require much maintenance.
• Approved a $5,000 engineering study to determine the work needed to install a 100-kv generator at the wastewater treatment plant to keep it running during power outages. The total cost of the generator could be as much as $60,000.
• Approved a request to release one-half of the $1,250 annual equipment fund for the First Responders to purchase equipment for five new members.
The Etna Green Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the fire station meeting room. Council members are Eileen Hall, Jeff Klinefelter and Andy Cook.
