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ETNA GREEN - The Etna Green Town Council discussed a resident's concern regarding an easement and submitting an application for a grant to use toward the Heritage Park project during a meeting Tuesday.
Bryan Moriarty, who owns 120-1/2 W. Broadway St., said he was informed by Kosciusko County officials that he needed to get a new permit for ongoing construction at that address. He explained he needed a letter from council for setting the structure up with water and sewer but said town's office staff told him a letter wouldn't be released "unless I give the town a piece of my property that sits behind my building."
Council President Heath Roberts said per the Indiana Municipal Power Agency, the town needs an easement in the area.
"We had a situation last year where we had to back a bucket truck in there to fix a secondary line," said Roberts. "In order to access that, we need an easement. This town in the past has had all kinds of problems with not having easements."
Moriarty said he spoke with Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy about the issue and was told he could only do windows and siding work on the structure until he had a letter from the town.
"IMPA will do a study and they run the numbers, and they propose what the easement would be worth," said town attorney Nick Jacobs. "If they give that to me, then I can reach out to you."
In other business, Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe and Michiana Area Council of Governments Director of Operations and Community Development Zach Dripps attended the meeting to provide an update on the Heritage Park improvement project.
Dripps told the council an application to the Community Amenities Program (CAP) grant initiative is due at the end of June. The town will be seeking approximately $220,000 for the work, which is being matched by previously acquired grants from the K21 Health Foundation and Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Dripps received the council's approval to submit the CAP application on behalf of the town.
Roberts said he's been talking with contractors about the bathroom pavilion but hasn't received any estimates.
"We have been moving forward ... the softball backstop did come down, and it looks completely open, the park looks completely different," said Roberts.
Roe also discussed the possibility of the town hosting a public event, potentially in July, to celebrate the work that's been done at Heritage Park thus far.
With the park, council also approved increasing the rental rate for the Heritage Park building. Effective in June, the rate will increase from $100 to $150. For-profit organizations hosting events at the building will be charged $175.
A brief update on a new tornado siren was also discussed. Roe said the town has not received any of the grants it's applied for, but that other grants are being pursued, and Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency Director Kip Shuter is assisting in the process.
Council also:
• Approved the Etna Township Fire Department (ETFD) purchasing a 20-foot Conex box to place outside of the fire department for storing equipment.
• Gave ETFD permission to potentially use the town's wastewater area for vehicle extrication training.
• Approved a bid from Utility Supply Company for updating the town's water system. Ben Christiansen, with Utility Supply Company, said they are moving from PC to web-based software.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. June 9.
