Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Although Clear Creek Apartments has been in North Manchester since 2000, the business will receive a tax abatement for the next 10 years.
Tuesday night at the regular meeting, the Manchester Town Council approved a resolution giving a tax abatement to Clear Creek Apartments now through 2015.
The council originally approved an abatement for the apartment complex in 2000, but since authorities at the business did not file paperwork with the Wabash County auditor, the abatement was never credited to the company.
Legislation recently passed allows businesses in such a situation to file for a refund for the taxes that should have been reduced through the abatement.
Instead of paying the abatement refund for the last six years, the Manchester Town Council approved the resolution to give the 10-year abatement beginning this year.
Had the council agreed to pay the retroactive funds, the town would have lost tens of thousands dollars in the next disbursement in tax monies.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the continuation of tax abatements for Heckman Bindery and Oji Intertech. Both companies are in compliance with their abatement agreements.
• Chose a company to provide trash and recycling service for the town. Allied Waste Services of Claypool, the town's current provider, submitted the winning and lowest bid of $235,287 for refuse pickup and 26 recycling pickups per year. Other bidders were Wabash Valley Refuse and Waste Management.
• Heard the water extension project is nearly finished. The hydrant is finished and water samples have been submitted for bacteria tests. The tap to Sweetwater Church is scheduled for installation Monday.
• Saw the plans for playground equipment designed for Maple Park and Frantz Park. The equipment is ordered and should arrive in three to five weeks. Installation is expected to take two to three days.
• Gave consent to get quotes for a new lawnmower for the town.
• Gave consent to sell distributor truck No. 7. The truck has not been used by the town in approximately five years.
• Approved an ordinance to re-establish a cumulative firefighting building and equipment fund. The ordinance is a continuation of what the town already is doing.
Town Council members are Chris Garber, Diana Haupert, Don Rinearson, Stan Escott and Laura Rager. Town manager is Dan Hannaford, secretary-treasurer is Nancy Reed and town attorney is Charles Tiede.
