Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Clerk-treasurer Nancy Reed told the North Manchester Town Council and town residents Thursday that Wabash County will send out property tax assessments on time.
Assessments will be sent in April and will be due in May, she said. Her concern, though, is why municipalities should expect a delay in their state funding payments. The first usually arrives in June. County officials and legislators in Indianapolis haven't answered her questions yet, she said.
Cities and towns across the state are stuck in the same scenario. North Manchester Public Library Director Davonne Rogers said she is facing the same problem.
If the state's payments are late, Reed said, North Manchester can borrow from itself until June. Then they will go to the Indiana Bond Bank. Council president Don Rinearson said the town could last until November.
Also, the town council approved the closing of two alleys, which will make way for CVS Pharmacy to build a new store at the corner of Mill and Main streets.
Town officials and CVS representatives met four times to iron out differences about the building's facade, Rinearson said.
Laura Rager, a plan commission member, was pleased with CVS' concessions. Rinearson agreed.
The building won't be brick but will be the color of brick, Rager said. The "less than desirable white" sign along with the top of the building's walls will be stucco. The lights in the parking lot will match the streetlights in the downtown's proposed streetscape.
"We could have gotten more," Manchester Main Street President Mike Brown said after the meeting. The town committees were not speaking with a unified voice, he said.
He said he realizes the town needs a review board to keep future projects in line with the "Victorian Village" look of the downtown area.
The town council also approved handing over the Town Life Center, formerly the Thomas Marshall Elementary School, to Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Indianapolis, the largest nonprofit corporation of its kind.
Councilman Bill Hix said the contract needed stronger language ensuring the Town Life Center tenants won't be evicted by the new owner.
The organization's director, Todd A. Zeiger, reassured Hix several times that was not his intention.
"We have no ulterior motive," he said. Zeiger wants to build a partnership with Community Services of North Manchester Inc., the organization soon to be managing the center's daily operations.
Councilman Karl F. Merritt announced he will not seek another term on the council. He said personal reasons are keeping him from running again. Bill Hix made a similar announcement in January. Councilmen Stan Escott and Warren Garner have yet to announce their intentions to run for office. Don Rinearson said he will run again.
North Manchester Town Council includes: president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner and Bill Hix. Town attorney is Charles Tiede. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. Plan commissioner is Bernie Ferringer. Public works superintendent is John Mugford.
