Pictured, from left, are Cory Ellinger, Kevin Smith II and Keith Claassen. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

ETNA GREEN — The Etna Green Town Council discussed mobile home park variances during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Marsha Stiles, Etna Green Mobile Home Park property manager, attended the council meeting in regards to seeking approval for installing mobile homes at Lots 10 and 11 on West Spring Street. However, Stiles told council members she needed approval from them.

“We’re wanting to put them on existing lots,” said Stiles. “The boundaries that they’ve [Area Plan Commission] set are impossible to me. They’re so many feet from the right-of-way and so many feet from the other unit next to it. Even with the existing lots, we can’t meet that criteria.”

“I’d like to know more specifically how much distance will be between lots,” said Council Member Keith Claassen. “We got to have clearances.”

Stiles said the distance between the lots is approximately 17 feet but is no less than that.

Council members asked Fire Chief Randall Byrer about his thoughts on the variance.

“That’s the safety buffer zone of a trailer to catch another trailer on fire,” said Byrer. “That was a request by the state fire marshals, not just the area plan commission. It’s a recommendation.”

Stiles said existing homes at the mobile home park don’t meet that criteria but are grandfathered in, as current mobile homes in the park are exempt from the 20-foot variance.

Council members decided to each separately look at the lots in person before making a final decision on allowing new mobile homes at the park.

“I want to make sure we actually see all of this in person physically before we make up our minds,” said Council Member Kevin Smith II.

In other business, the council also presented the town’s 2020 budget draft to the public, which is totaled at $293,675. The final public hearing and adoption of the budget will be during the Oct. 8 council meeting.

Byrer asked council members if they could look into getting the top portion of the fire department building’s exterior painted. Council voted to get quotes from area painters for the project.

“Run for a Hero” will take place at Heritage Square in Etna Green on Saturday, Sept. 14. A one-mile fun run will start at 9 a.m., with a 5K race beginning at 10 a.m. Participants may register online at runforahero.org or on-site the day of the event. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Map routes for the event can be viewed online on the event’s Facebook page.

Etna Green Fire Department will also hold a fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Heritage Park.

Toward the end of the meeting, council members presented Town Attorney Jay Rigdon with a commemorative baseball recognizing his 35 years of service to the town of Etna Green. The baseball was signed by current and former town council members and clerk-treasurers.

The council’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.