Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊNorth Manchester town council approved the refinancing of 1992 sewage works revenue bonds because of available low interest rates, according to Nancy Reed, clerk-treasurer.
Certified public accountant Stephen Carter from H.J. Umbaugh & Associates, Plymouth, upped the net-savings possibilities to more than $176,000, while dropping two years from the repayment schedule.
Umbaugh reported $136,000 in savings at January's meeting before more quotes were gathered.
"Sounds like a good deal," councilman Warren Garner said, looking at the numbers.
Having gathered quotes from local banks and other lending institutions, Carter recommended Indiana Lawrence Bank's quote.
The council tabled final approval until March, when president Don Rinearson will have looked over the material.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved three projects with total costs of $129,500.
The projects are: the comprehensive master plan and zoning plan, $57,500; Town Life Center's parapet and roof, quoted at $36,000 by Jim Garber, chairman of the Town Life Center Planning Committee; miscellaneous expenses for the master plan and Town Life Center projects, $8,000; and the city hall's parapet and roof repairs, $28,000.
North Manchester paying for the Town Life Center's repairs "received a great deal of discussion at the January meeting," said vice president Stan Escott, presiding over the meeting in Rinearson's absence.
Garber said the parapet's bricks along the roof of the Tower Life Center are in disarray.
The city hall's parapet bricks are "in bad shape," a chimney may needs replacing and the roof needs retarring, said Dan Hannaford, town manager.
• "Suspended the rules for safety" and will post two stop signs on South Street, North Manchester, at the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing, on the east and west sides of the track, councilman Karl Merritt said.
The stop signs can be posted but for 30 days police cannot enforce them, said Jack Fetrow, public safety director.
In the same ordinance, no parking will be allowed on Wayne Street, 36 feet from the intersection of Wayne and Miami streets, and no parking will be allowed on Wayne Street, 60 feet from the south line of Manchester College's Schwalm Hall parking lot entrance.
The council suspended the rules for first, second and third readings and passed the ordinance.
Law enforcement can enforce stops at the two stop signs only after the new rules are published in the newspapers and then after the 30-day requirement in the ordinance.
North Manchester Town Council includes: president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner, town attorney Charles Tiede and Bill Hix. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. Public safety director is Jack Fetrow. Plan commissioner is Bernie Ferringer. Public works superintendent is John Mugford. Rinearson was absent.
