Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - Vandalism in the park and raising utility deposits were among the topics discussed Tuesday by the Etna Green Town Council.
Friends of Heritage Park member Joanne Dean told council members three picnic tables have been destroyed by vandals, while two others in need of repair will likely need to be replaced.
Dean also said most of the light bulb covers in the pavilion are missing.
"How long are we gonna put up with this vandalism?" council member Ruben "R.B." Conley asked.
"Till the end of time," said council president Eileen Hall, who pointed out that "no park anywhere is without it."
Town attorney Jay Rigdon said Conley's suggestion to establish a reward system for reporting damage isn't feasible because the amounts of damage aren't enough to merit providing a reward. Rigdon also said such a program likely wouldn't serve as a deterrent to the vandals.
Clerk-treasurer Laura Baker was asked to contact the town's insurance company regarding coverage for the damaged picnic tables, and the town will look into removing the lights from the pavilion because it is rarely rented for nighttime use.
Hall said she has been looking into deposits that other towns charge for utilities and learned the "town is behind the times."
The town has a $10 disconnect fee for utilities and deposits of $20 for water and $60 for electric service. However, average monthly bills are between $30 and $45 for water and between $80 and $100 for electric, and the deposits aren't enough to cover a customer's bill if they become delinquent and/or leave town.
Baker said the town has an average of 15 customer per month who are sent notices of disconnection if bills aren't brought up to date.
Council members voted to table the matter to come up with possible figures for new deposit rates and the issue will be discussed again next month.
In other business, the council decided to switch carriers for town employee health and life insurance coverage.
Baker said the town's agent, Beauchamp & McSpadden of Warsaw, notified her that the rates were increased for the same medical coverage and that the prescription coverage was being decreased, with employees required to pay higher prices for medications.
The town opted to sign on with Anthem at a cost of $1,099 per month versus continuing with American Community at the increased rate of $1,240.84 per month. The town also was quoted a monthly rate of $1,239.99 from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
In additional matters, the council:
• Approved purchase of a microwave for the Heritage Park building for $129.99 from Kmart.
• Announced that the Friends of Heritage Park set a work day for May 5.
• Learned that the work on the water tower has been completed, with the interior recoated and a crack in the overflow pipe repaired.
• Will look into using nonviolent offenders for community service projects in town.
• Tentatively set May 1 as a date for flushing water hydrants.
The Etna Green Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Etna Township Fire Station meeting room. Council members are Eileen Hall, Ruben "R.B." Conley and Jeff Klinefelter.
