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ETNA GREEN - The Etna Green Town Council hired Commonwealth Engineers during a council meeting Wednesday to complete an asset management plan.
Chris Harrison, business development manager; and Jeremy Hardy, project engineer with Commonwealth Engineers, both attended the meeting to provide an update on the town's master utility study. Harrison said Commonwealth has been looking at the most cost-effective method for getting the utility study completed.
"What we're running into is a timing issue," said Harrison. "There have been multiple failures within both the utilities of the water and wastewater systems. And I'm concerned that if we miss this next go-round for the State Revolving Funds, you guys may be out a year and a half to two and a half years before you get any type of construction project moving forward."
Council President Heath Roberts said there have still been ongoing issues with residents having "nasty water."
"We can't wait two years or wait for it to break and then say, 'Hey, we're going to fix it,’" said Roberts.
Harrison said when working through a planning grant with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), communities are typically required to provide a match.
"Most of the time, communities will reach out to the State Revolving Funds," said Harrison. "And what they're looking for there is either grant funding, zero-interest loans or low-interest loans to complement the OCRA projects that are coming in. There are multiple avenues here to help support the community."
Harrison said over the past four years, a utility infrastructure bill has been used to help communities in Indiana. He asked the council to consider working through its preliminary engineering study and asset management plan as soon as possible to submit the project into the SRF cycle by April 1, 2026.
"Those funds can be reimbursed back to the community through the SRF funding project," said Harrison.
Prior to Commonwealth's discussions, Olivia Nix, community development planner with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), discussed securing grant funding for the town's master utility study. She said MACOG intends to submit its grant application on Friday, Nov. 14.
"It's a planning grant to fund the master utility study, which will take a deep look at the wastewater, drinking water, and the feasibility of the stormwater utility as well," said Nix. "This is to have a better understanding of areas that need improvement, what the current state of the infrastructure is, and get a recommended plan of action. If awarded, the study will be completed within a 12-month window and will give the town a road map for suggested critical improvements."
Nix said Etna Green is seeking the maximum amount of $90,000 from OCRA's Community Development Block Grant, with the town committing a 10% match, bringing the total amount of the project to $100,000. She told council they should know by the end of 2025 if the town received the grant.
Harrison also said there were "really good" impact letters from residents being submitted with the application.
"We have received numerous letters with genuine statements of impact and pictures, and nearly 70 responses on the survey that was sent out," said Nix.
Change in Trash Services
The council also approved entering a five-year contract with Apex Waste for trash services. Etna Green received two quotes from providers for trash services, including Apex and Republic Services, the town's current provider.
Apex would pick up trash on a weekly basis, with recycling being collected biweekly. In their quote, Apex listed recycling and trash services at $17.83 per household, with Republic Services providing at $20 per household. Council member Keith Claassen said Republic's quote would increase each year over the five-year period, while Apex would limit to a 5% cap per annum on potential increases.
Roberts also noted there had been ongoing issues with the dumpster at the town's park.
"Somebody tore off their roof and dumped their roof in the dumpster up there," said Roberts.
Town employee Richard McManis noted several instances of people placing items next to the dumpster when it's full.
Updates on Heritage Park
Roberts also shared some updates on ongoing work involving the Heritage Park walking path. The path is paved and frequently being used by residents. He reminded the community that it's for walking, running, rollerblading, biking and dog-walking, with no motorized vehicles allowed on the path.
K21 Health Foundation also paid for a mule for McManis to use within town, and that it may be used for plowing the path in the wintertime so it can still be used.
Part of the third phase of the Heritage Park project may potentially involve the removal of the softball diamond and using the building at the diamond for public restrooms and a concession stand.
Roberts said the diamond "wasn't really used" by the community anymore. He and Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe noted they would be seeking public input on additional work at Heritage Park when the due date for applications for the Community Amenities Program grant initiative approaches.
The council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the Etna Green Town Hall.
