ETNA GREEN – Town Council approved the 2015 budget Tuesday and a rate increase for garbage pickup. The budget includes $145,766 in the general fund, $49,463 in motor vehicle highway and $10,900 in local roads and streets. There is also $50,000 budgeted for the Economic Development Income Tax fund. The increase to the trash rate, a total of 39 cents after three years, will bring the bill to $13.25. Council renewed the town’s contract with Republic Services during the September meeting. Also Tuesday, resident Doug Davis thanked council for an adjustment on his water bill for a leak at his property and asked if they would consider a further discount. He said the 53,000 gallons leaked over a period of 13 days – resulting in a bill of about $500 – was hard to believe, even if the faucet were left on full blast. Council members Keith Claassen and Todd Slabaugh said the amount of water did seem like a stretch, but that it was conceivable if a toilet or faucet were left running. Clerk-Treasurer Laura Baker also pointed out that the recorded flow to the water treatment plant doubled three times in that period and was otherwise normal. “We have to charge for the water,” Claassen said. “We hated doing that, but you don’t have anything that shows otherwise.”
