NORTH MANCHESTER – The new year brought some restructuring and a new face to the North Manchester town council, whose members were sworn in by Wabash Superior Court Judge Benjamin Vanderpool Wednesday evening.
Regular council members are Thomas Dale and Laura Rager. Jim Smith replaces Rager this year as the council’s vice president. Adam Penrod will still serve as town manager, and Matt Mize remains the town’s legal counsel. Carrie Mugford continues to serve as town clerk. Allen Miracle became council president after Chalmer Tobias, having relocated outside his served district, surrendered his seat on the council.
The newest addition to the council is Gary Montel, born and raised in North Manchester. Montel has worked as an administrative assistant and accountant for Timbercrest Retirement Community and retired from Manchester University (formerly College) where he worked in development and alumni relations.
In new business, police chief Jim Kirk presented a request for purchase of a new police vehicle, most likely a Dodge Durango specially built for police work. The council approved the request.
Fire chief Cam Kissinger reported 52 calls this month.
The Redevelopment Commission will meet next week, and the public works department picked up 41 Christmas trees locally.
Mugford reported a town docket of $178,117.98 and a utilities docket of $175,094.32.
