By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — The Etna Green Town Council heard an update from the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation during a March 8 meeting.

Alan Tio, KEDCo CEO; and Amy Roe, Kosciusko County’s new community coordinator, both attended the meeting. They asked council if there were any questions about the county-wide incentives policy and provided a brief update on KEDCO’s housing initiative.

Roe also discussed the new Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP). The program is meant to help communities rebuild from the effects of COVID-19. Four towns in Kosciusko County, including Etna Green, as well as Mentone, Milford, and Pierceton, are participating with the county in HELP.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Roe. “I’m here as the individual who gets to work with the four communities who have agreed to partner with the HELP program to do this process.”

In other business, Town Attorney Nick Jacobs provided an update on property annexation in the town by Joey Slone, owner of Joey’s RV in Atwood.

Jacobs said Slone attended the council’s February meeting and expressed interest in annexing property within the Etna Green area. There are two properties Slone is buying, one of which has been closed on but does not touch the town’s boundary. The second property which does touch the town’s boundary has not been closed on yet.

“That puts us in a standstill for the annexation (of the second property),” said Jacobs. “(Joey) is going to update me once that happens. I haven’t heard a specific date yet.”

Jacobs also provided an update on two Walnut Street properties. He said Council Member Jason Hanes, who was unable to attend the March meeting, had been communicating with him about properties at 111 N. Walnut St. and 127 N. Walnut St. that are in need of repairs.

Jacobs said Eric Blackwell, a co-owner of 111 N. Walnut St., will be personally fixing the property once the weather warms up since he does contracting work.

Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook said the mortgage company involved with the property at 127 N. Walnut St. was unaware of the property’s condition until Jacobs alerted them. The property is being cleaned and fixed up to sell.

Council also:

• Approved the town giving a sponsorship of $150 for Triton Field Day.
• Accepted a fire protection agreement.
• Tabled a water billing adjustment for town resident Aaron Bakian to next month’s meeting.

The council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.