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ETNA GREEN - Etna Green Town Council gave its approval Tuesday for a farmers market at Heritage Park.
Christy Maull said the farmers market would be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on alternating Wednesdays, beginning June 10. These dates would not conflict with existing farmers markets in Warsaw, Bourbon and Mentone.
"We're hoping to add more dates in the fall based upon the attendance, depending on how it goes," said Maull. "It's strictly going to be local, vendors, food trucks, farmers market event ... no animal sales, no weapons, no flea-market style booth stuff will be permitted. Just baked, canned goods, eggs, honey, produce, plants, handcrafted items such as soaps, woodworking and crocheted items."
Maull said vendor cost would be $10 to help encourage participation. Booths would be set up along the sidewalks, walking path and around the community building pavilion.
Council recommended Maull get in contact with Jeff Hoffman to prevent any scheduling conflicts with the Triton Junior Football League.
In other business, the council approved a State Revolving Fund authorization resolution and SRF application related to the town's wastewater system.
Jeremy Hardy, project engineer; and Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers, both attended the meeting to provide an update and answer questions. The SRF application is due by April 1.
"Drafts were done," said Hardy. "We're waiting on Baker Tilly to provide their piece, which we got them their information they needed just a few weeks ago, so they'll be coming in and working with us on this fast pace."
Since the town did not receive a grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Commonwealth proceeded with a preliminary report on just the town's wastewater system.
Hardy said there were several options considered for the wastewater, including regionalization, $7.2 million; upgrading the wastewater facility, $3.2 million; and building a new facility, $6 million.
The town is leaning toward upgrading the wastewater plant.
"We do know that (SRF) have dollars for communities that have high user rates," said Hardy. "We'll see what can be afforded, where will you score ... there's going to be many other communities applying ... another thing we're looking into is another grant opportunity."
"The whole intent is to bring down those rates as best we can as we work through this process," said Harrison. "The first step is submitting to SRF and see what type of package is coming our way."
Hardy said a public hearing will be held at the council's April meeting regarding the preliminary engineering report.
Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe and Council President Heath Roberts presented updates on Heritage Park projects.
Roe said a survey regarding park preferences is available at the town hall. The survey asks residents about what type of playground equipment should be prioritized and amenities residents would like to see featured. Surveys must be turned in by April 14.
Public bathrooms and a new pavilion at Heritage Park are also being considered.
"That way, when the communities come here and we have these events like the farmers market, that there are public bathrooms," said Roberts. "We're trying to work on that. And Jeff (Hoffman) is behind me on this, but I need the community's involvement on this survey. I want to keep things to a budget so that we have the money to spend on other stuff for the park, maybe a climbing wall or some exercise equipment."
Roberts said electrical work and concrete posts for lights around the walking path will be put in this week. The lights themselves will be installed in the final phase of the Heritage Park project. Anyone interested in working as a contractor for the park projects can contact Roberts.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.
