Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - After several months of questions and discussion, the North Manchester Town Council approved a motion to join the Wabash Economic Development Corp.
Thursday night, Rob Pearson addressed the council, explaining the progress that has been made in the WEDCOR restructuring process. Pearson also explained the three main goals of WEDCOR are to change the structure of the board, select an executive director and become more aggressive with efforts to attract and keep industry in Wabash County.
Pearson told the council that WEDCOR will not be 100 percent funded by government entities, but the group feels government participation is essential. Different membership levels will be established for entities that wish to be part of WEDCOR.
The WEDCOR board will be made up of nine individuals who will meet monthly and directly oversee the executive director. Three of those seats will be occupied by government representatives from North Manchester, Wabash County and Wabash City.
Once Pearson made the presentation to the council, a motion to allocate $12,300 to join WEDCOR for 2006 was approved unanimously.
In other business, the council:
• Heard an update on the Community Development Block Grant construction grant application process and held a public hearing on the matter. Ann Marie Lindenmeyer told the board the grant application is due April 7. Lindenmeyer is requesting a grant of $478,892.53 to improve the Thomas Marshall Town Life Center on Bond Street. The total project cost is $682,800, with $3,907.46 coming from town funds and $200,000 from private donations. The money will be used to install a new roof, retrofit and paint windows, buy a new boiler and HVAC system, and make first-floor restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Approved a motion to hire Nate Birch as the new deputy marshall. Birch has an associate's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in criminology from Indiana State University. He currently is working at Vigo County Corrections and will begin his employment in North Manchester at the end of March.
• Approved the acceptance of a dump truck bid from Denny Motor Sales in Wabash. The TC8800 2007 GMC cab and chassis will cost $53,016, and the company will pay $8,000 for the 1989 Chevrolet currently owned by the town, making the expense for the truck $45,016. The bid was accepted pending a review from town manager Dan Hannaford and superintendent of public works John Mugford. Only one bid was received.
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.
