Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - Council President Eileen Hall discussed the future of utility rates for the town at the board meeting Tuesday.
It was decided that a meeting with Umbaugh and Associates will be necessary to proceed. A public hearing will be scheduled to discuss concerns for the imminent increase in utilities. At the May meeting, John Julian, Umbaugh representative, presented the board with his firm's findings and said Etna Green needs to increase the sewage rates by 33 percent and water by 22 percent. There has not been a rate increase in seven years. The actual amount of increase was not addressed, but will be at the future public hearing.
Vice President Todd Slabaugh presented the board with the plans for the new Heritage Lake Park marker. The 4-foot boulder was donated to Etna Green by G & G Excavating. The board approved the $1,500 engraving to be done by Say It In Stone, Silver Lake. That amount includes retrieving the stone from the gravel pit, engraving and setting it at the park. Seven hundred dollars will come from the Park Fund and the remaining $800 from the Economic Development Income Tax fund. The town plans to landscape around the stone that marks the establishment of the park in 1975.
There is a concern for the potential need for baby-changing stations in the lavatories at the parks building. Space to accommodate the stations is the biggest concern. The board intends to look into the issue further.
Resident Dave Price raised several questions to the board, including the amount of town employees supported by the town. President Hall stifled the rumors by saying, "The only new position in the last 12 years added to the town is that of a part-time utility position, ... with the exception of a two-year consulting from Spectrum Services for training purposes."
Price also voiced his concern for the potential need for more police coverage. Discussion concluded that implementation of its own police department was not cost effective. Laura Baker agreed to contact the sheriff's department to see if they could patrol more regularly. The county provides current police coverage.
The idea of another stop sign in town was mentioned to potentially curtail the speeding through town.
Price also questioned the lack of visibility of the maintenance employees. The board said that position requires a significant amount of time at other locations, including the water tower, maintaining the sewer plant, performing daily water testing, maintaining all equipment at all facilities, and service calls, which would account for the lack of visibility.
