ETNA GREEN — With the end of the year approaching quickly, the Etna Green town council had the task of approving the 2016 budget at last night’s, Tuesday, Oct. 13, meeting. The budget, along with a parking dilemma and the town hall roof were among subjects discussed at the meeting.

The 2016 budget, which has already had to be reduced to cover expenses this year, was voted on and approved. Total funds came out to $302,784, with $78,150 in adopted tax levy and an adopted tax rate of .7894. The budget was quickly approved.

Along with the budget, Clerk-Treasurer Laura Baker brought forth the subject of the roof of the town hall. “The roof has been in pretty bad shape for 20 years, with leak after leak,” she said. Bontrager Roofing quoted a longterm reparation of the roof at $23,850. The money would cover all labor and materials, and would ensure that a rubber roof with a 15-year warranty would replace the existing roof. The money would come from the general fund from the budget. “Several companies have come to try to replace the roof, but it has always been a short-term solution,” Baker said. The quote from Bontrager was voted on and approved.

Resident Eric Blacklaw came before the council to express concerns about an apartment he was trying to build. He had originally been approved for two-family housing in 2,376 square-foot of property, but due to protest from those in the community, was coming before the council again. “I am totally willing to reduce that to single-family housing,” Blacklaw said.

The council agreed that it should be changed to single-family housing, because there is not enough parking space for there to be two families living in one lot. Blacklaw agreed, saying “I will need a letter of approval for single-family dwelling.” The council accepted, and the letter will be prepared this week.

In other business:

• Randall Byrer, Etna Township Fire Chief, requested a reduction on the building for the fire department’s fish fry event. The council advised that $125 was already a reduction from $200, and that they could not reduce it.
• Louise Mason, from the Indiana Bicentennial Committee asked the council to consider $250 from next year’s budget to go toward a bicentennial event in Etna Green. The event could involve historical scavenger hunts, a library physical fitness challenge and more. Mason wanted to promote “children working with the schools, and most importantly learning.” The council agreed to handle it when the 2016 budget is available.
• A quote from Steelridge for the floor, approach and side-pad of the waste water treatment plant was given for $11,020. The quote was approved, and labor should start soon.
• The owner of lot 28, where a burnt down trailer has been since the spring, has still yet to move the trailer from the property, and so the council approved an attorney to proceed with a nuisance action lawsuit.

The next Etna Green town council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.