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NORTH MANCHESTER - The North Manchester Town Council voted Wednesday to establish a Historic Preservation Committee.
The committee will be made up of representatives from the town council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester Main Street Organization.
The committee will explore the possibility of designating areas of the town as "historic districts."
To be considered a "historic district," according to Todd Zeiger of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, buildings in the area must be at least 50 years old and must possess architectural integrity.
Buildings in established districts will be subject to standards of appearance as designated by town ordinance.
Before any districts are designated, the Historic Preservation Committee will be established and a general ordinance allowing such districts will be drafted.
Then districts may be designated and specific ordinances for each area can be drafted. Finally, the town council as well as citizens will vote on the designation and its terms.
"Creating a local historical district doesn't force people to go out and do something to their homes," Zeiger said. The guidelines laid out in each ordinance only go into effect when changes to the home are proposed, similar to zoning laws.
Enticing investors to the community and protecting historic buildings are two reasons why North Manchester needs to designate historic districts, Manchester Main Street President Mike Brown told the council. He also said the ordinance would be "a logical extension of zoning."
An ad hoc committee of area citizens unanimously approved of establishing historic districts, Brown said.
The board also decided to proceed with plans to contact the bond bank about a temporary loan. Late property tax disbursements created the need for the loan, which may or may not be used.
The town has funds to run until September but was told their disbursement may not be available until November. In that case, temporary loan monies will be needed.
In other business, the council:
• Approved Police Chief Linda Learned's request to explore the possibility of establishing a contract between the town and new personnel that would require them to maintain employment for a designated period of time.
Learned projected that the contract would require "two to three years employment."
Town attorney Charles Tiede commented on the benefits a proposal would offer to personnel - guaranteed employment for two to three years.
• Reappointed Chris Garber to the Storm Water Department Board.
• Appointed James Hyden and Jerry Walton as deputy marshals. Walton is a former NMPD officer.
• Approved a proposal to include police disciplinary actions into the town's general policy.
• Announced a $15,000 increase in the town's insurance. The increase is caused partially by the events of Sept. 11 and by the addition of police terrorism insurance.
