Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - New traditions and old ghosts were revealed during Etna Green's Town Council meeting Tuesday.
After Eileen Hall, Ruben "R.B." Conley and Jeff Klinefelter were sworn in as the town's new council members and Hall was elected president, Conley suggested "we have a Pledge of Allegiance to the flag." Those in attendance scanned the room because there didn't appear to be an American flag present. "It's behind the door," Conley said as he pulled it out. "We've got a great country and I think we ought to bring it (the flag) out here."
Another change from past council meetings was to have the minutes from the previous meeting read aloud, rather than for members to review them and vote on whether to accept or reject them as presented.
During the business portion of the meeting, it was learned that current town employees are not certified and will not be allowed to sign reports for water testing in town because of a break in a chain of paperwork to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
There was a possibility that a waiver could be granted, but the information for the waiver that was to be submitted to IDEM by a former employee was not taken care of. However, waste water and street superintendent Barry Baker said he plans to talk with another IDEM representative before any changes are made in the water testing/reporting procedures.
If the town is not granted a waiver, someone who is certified in running a pressure filtered system must sign the reports and would have to be hired to do so by the town. The recent water project changed the system from a chemical treatment distribution system to pressure filtered, a process that requires different certification. The new system should be up and running within a couple weeks.
"IDEM is willing to work with the town to get the matter straightened out," Baker said, adding that he doesn't see the problem as a big issue and that the engineers from the project "are willing to go to bat for the town with IDEM."
In the meantime, if paperwork is not forwarded as required, the town may have to send a public notice to let residents know certain tests were not completed. Town officials said residents should be aware that the town water is safe and the problem is only in paperwork procedures.
After discussion ended on that matter, council members were told that the bucket truck is broken - again - and that the utility truck will need two new tires because the front tires and the rear tires are different sizes and they should all be the same size. The council agreed both matters should be rectified.
"Do we have any other ghosts in the closet?" asked Conley.
That question led to discussion of the need for new two-way radios for town employees. One radio was taken for repair and the cost would exceed the value. Another radio is quite old and there could be difficulty getting parts if it quits working. The third - and newest - radio is in good shape.
Conley suggested that Baker get quotes for three new radios and look at the trade-in allowance for the one good radio. However, if the trade-in cost is not reasonable, the town would consider keeping it as a backup radio.
In other matters, the council:
• Agreed that Conley should represent the town in a request for the State Highway Department to consider a timed approach for the planned traffic light at Ind. 19 and U.S. 30. The state recently announced the intersection will get a four-way cycled traffic light. Town officials agree it is a good idea to have a flashing signal about one-quarter mile prior to the light warning motorists to prepare to stop.
"I'll speak for myself, too," Conley said, "because I don't want to see the first person killed out there."
• Voted to make the intersection of High and Walnut streets a four-way stop and to reduce the intersection at Spring and Walnut streets to a two-way stop for traffic on Spring Street.
• Approved a change order for the water project for an additional $3,123 for a chlorine flow meter.
• Heard a complaint regarding trash blowing from a residence in town onto an adjoining farm. The problem has been ongoing and the trash items occasionally short out an electric fence.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Feb. 8 in the fire station meeting room.
