Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - The town council president wants a full-time clerk-treasurer and thinks the council members deserve a raise.
These issues and the possibility of hiring a code enforcement officer will be discussed during an executive session at 5 p.m. May 13.
Andy Cook, president of the Etna Green Town Council, said during Tuesday's meeting that he was concerned with the fact that the town's clerk-treasurer only works part-time. He said he was at the town hall working on a truck recently and answered at least three telephone calls and assisted a man who came in looking for the clerk.
"I believe we need to make the clerk-treasurer a full-time position, five days a week, eight hours a day," Cook said.
He and council members Keith Robbins and Russell "Pete" Miller will discuss the matter to determine wages and other criteria. Clerk-treasurer Laura Baker said the decision needs to be made prior to June for budgeting reasons and because the position will soon come up for election.
As far as council salary is concerned, Cook said, members have been paid $500 per year for the past eight years and he believes that isn't enough for the amount of time devoted to the job.
Also, since the town does not have a marshal and is policed by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, there has been some trouble getting town codes enforced. Apparently, the sheriff's department is not able to enforce local codes and an attorney suggested the town consider hiring a part-time code enforcement officer to do so. The job would allow for enforcement of such violations as junk and weed growth in yards, but the officer would not have arresting powers.
In other business, the council approved payments to Ortman and Kripe Excavating for work already completed on the town's water project. Town officials said the work is progressing nicely and they are pleased with the work so far.
Anyone wondering where work is being done on a given day can check the work schedule, which is posted in various locations throughout town, including the town hall and businesses.
The council also:
• Approved installation of a sink at the concession stand at Heritage Park, painting of doors at the park recently spray painted with offensive graffiti and purchase of a fountain and weather-proof hydrant for Remembrance Park for a cost of $1,565.
• Set large-item trash pickup for May 6 and 13.
• Accepted contracts for review from H.J. Umbaugh & Associates for annual rate reviews so that any future increases aren't as large as the current 7 percent hike.
• Informed a resident questioning water problems on Pearl Street that the tile will be checked for blockage as soon as equipment can be taken onto the property and that a water problem with runoff from a parking lot a Schult Homes flooding a crop field will be looked into.
The next council meeting is at 6 p.m. May 11 in the Heritage Park building.
