Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER – At Wednesday night's meeting, the North Manchester Town Council approved annexation and rezoning ordinances on second and third reading for a new housing development at 1104 E. Ind. 14, along with a new PILOT (Pay in Lieu of Taxes) agreement with the development company and a new Affordable Housing Fund.
This PILOT program will help MES Holdings LLC and Keller Development Inc., the developers of the housing project, to qualify for tax credits, and acts as a sort of tax abatement for the project, said Town Manager Adam Penrod. The PILOT agreement is for 40 years, with initial payments of $16,000 per year.
As was discussed at the May 6 meeting, the new housing complex will consist of 48 units with two bedrooms and one-and-one-half baths. The housing will be income-based, as tenants must make no more than 80% of the local median income.
In new business, council opened a water softener salt bid from Morton. Four companies were contacted and only one bid was received. The bid, which was for $54,345 for 500 tons of salt at $108.69 per ton, will be taken under advisement until the July meeting.
Council also approved the hiring of an additional water laborer to be trained and begin working under Ryan Shock as the department prepares for the loss of a staff member.
In other business, council:
• Approved a $10,000 funding request from the Center for History.
• Approved special alcohol ordinances for the American Legion for July 30 and Aug. 1, and for Ogan's Landing for Aug. 1, on second reading.
• Heard a $25,000 funding request from the Manchester Early Learning Center (MELC).
• Heard that fireworks will be held on July 4.
• Heard that the Market Street bridge should be reopened within three weeks.
Clerk-Treasurer Carrie Mugford reported a town docket of $648,894.94. Mugford explained that the high utilities docket, at $4,722,414.19, is due to the inclusion of 18 past claims associated with the water project, coming out of project funding and not the town's own operating, that still need approved at a regular meeting. Council approved both dockets.
Council's next regular meeting will be July 8 at 7 p.m., not July 1.
