Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Residents who wish to tap into the North Manchester city waterlines soon will have to pay a higher fee if a proposed ordinance passes.
Tuesday night, the three members of the North Manchester Town Council present for the regular meeting approved the first reading of the tap fee rate increase ordinance unanimously.
The ordinance would increase the tap fee from $860 to $1,084.94. The increase covers the rising cost of both labor and parts to tap into the town's sewer. According to John Mugford, superintendent of public works, the cost of both copper and brass fittings necessary for the tap-ins has risen significantly in recent years.
The new fee will take effect after the ordinance is approved on both second and third readings.
In other business, the council:
• Gave consent for the fire department to use the $4,000 earned from selling a 1974 fire truck to make repairs and keep up the 1994 truck the department already has.
• Scheduled an executive session for Monday at 6 p.m. in Town Manager Dan Hannaford's office.
• Heard the playground equipment for Maple Park and Frantz Park has arrived and will be installed soon.
• Opened bids for softener salt for the city. Three bids were received, and a committee was formed to further investigate and evaluate the bids. The committee will choose the bid that best fits the town's needs.
• Heard the police department is in the process of getting bids for a new squad car. Town Marshal Dave Young said bid specifications have been sent to 10 vendors and the quotes should be ready for the next council meeting.
Council members present at the meeting were Christopher Garber, Laura Rager and Diane Haupert. Don Rinearson and Stan Escott were absent.
