Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - An inability to reach an agreement with the owner of the building that a mural is painted on facing Remembrance Park means delinquent sewer bills must be paid.
Knight Wennerstrom refused to sign a contract with the town to allow the mural to remain. The town wanted a 50-year lease for maintaining the mural, but Wennerstrom was reluctant to allow for more than a two-year lease. However, Wennerstrom wants the town to erase his unpaid sewer bills in exchange for any lease.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon told the Etna Green Town Council during its Tuesday meeting that the artwork is protected by federal law and cannot be altered in any way without the permission of the artist.
Because of Wennerstrom's unwillingness to cooperate with the town, Rigdon will send a letter citing the federal protection act and informing Wennerstrom that his sewer fees are due immediately.
In other business, the council approved an autodialer to be purchased and installed at the wastewater treatment plant for $2,150. The installation will be done by Integrated Process System.
The autodialer is needed to alert town employees when the telemetry fails at the plant.
The council discussed removing the pay telephone at Heritage Park. Council members Jeff Klinefelter and Andy Cook are in favor of canceling the telephone service and taking out the telephone because the expense is not justifiable. The telephone rental is $90 per month and there is little use by the public.
Council president Eileen Hall said she would like to discuss options with Verizon before removing the telephone from the park.
In additional matters, the council:
• Approved paying $239 out of the First Responders budget to repair a piece of equipment.
• Set spring cleanup/large-item trash pickup for May 2 and 9.
• Gave permission for town employees to purchase two taller toilets - one each for the men's and women's restrooms at Heritage Park - and grab bars to accommodate handicapped users. Also, costs will be obtained for a partition extension for the stalls.
• Approved the costs associated with Hall attending the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Spring Workshop in May in Nashville.
• Announced a Founders Day Committee will be established to make plans for the town's 150th birthday in 2003.
• Discussed installation of curbs and sidewalks for which Economic Development Income Tax funds have been earmarked. There is $36,000 available and Hall said curbing from U.S. 30 to Old Road 30 on Ind. 19 may be taken care of by the state when the roadway is resurfaced beginning later this month. Hall would like to have sidewalks put in along the east side of that area at the same time and to have curbs and sidewalks planned in other areas if the money intended for the Ind. 19 stretch is freed up.
A special meeting is set for 7:30 a.m. Friday to receive estimates for the costs involved for the areas in question.
The 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.
