By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — The Etna Green Town Council gave approval for the creation of a mural at the Etna Township Fire Department building during a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

The fire station’s mural will be painted by volunteers with The True Art Company, a local nonprofit organization. Brandon Eads, founder of The True Art Company, attended the council’s meeting to address questions.

The True Art Company’s most recent works include a flower mural at the former Home Sweet Home location in Warsaw and a Mail Pouch tobacco advertisement touch-up in Rochester.

“We have a Mural Consciousness program that does a reciprocation project quarterly where we find businesses, organizations and individuals that deserve reciprocated appreciation from the community,” said Eads.

Eads said the organization seeks out one or more sponsors to help fund each mural. The town would not have to pay anything for the mural’s completion.

“This is a selfless gift,” said Eads. “For the life of the mural, we take care of the mural. It’s not a mural that is a commissioned mural to where I’m paid for it. You (the town) will have all the rights to it.”

Weather permitting, Eads said he hopes to begin the mural on Oct. 3 and finish it by the end of October. A release form between the town and The True Art Company will be created and signed prior to the mural’s creation.

Speeding Concerns

Town resident Dave Price expressed concern with speeding vehicles on Walnut and Railroad Streets.

“We all know it’s a problem,” said Price. “What we can’t figure is what to do about it. Calling the county…sometimes they can make it over, sometimes they can’t. But when they do make it over, if they park on the street, anybody can see them and they don’t speed. But any other time, they (drivers) are sailing down the street. There are kids, there are pets. It’s a residential area. It doesn’t make sense.”

Council Members Keith Claassen and Jason Hanes both agreed that it may be time to begin ticketing speeders.

“Initially I didn’t want to ruffle a lot of feathers,” said Hanes. “But people are going 40 mph in 20 mph zones.”

Hanes said he will talk with town employees this week to establish more speed limit signs in town.

Electric Service Study

Aaron Teders and Don Gruenemeyer with the engineering firm Sawvel and Associates Inc., Findlay, Ohio, attended the meeting to present an electric service study to the council. The study included the town’s projected purchase power expenses, power cost adjustments, projected operation expenses, and an approximate amount for annual capital improvement expenditures.

Council voted to make a rate adjustment through an ordinance to reflect projected increases.

Water Tower Maintenance

The council approved a $24,800 quote for painting the entire exterior of the town’s water tower.

“We’re really about a year or two out before the water tower needs painted,” said Water Superintendent Barry Baker. “But IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) wrote us up because we had a couple huge chips on our down pipe. Even if we do touchup, it’s going to need painted. It’s all getting white and faded out.”

Trick Or Treat Hours

Etna Green’s trick or treat hours are from 5-7 pm. Saturday, Oct. 30.

Upcoming Town Events

Etna Township Fire Department will hold a drive-thru fish and chicken fry from 4 p.m. until sold out Saturday, Sept. 25, at Heritage Park.

The Lions Club of Etna Green’s Fall 5000 run is at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Heritage Park. Online registration is $25 for the race fee plus $2.45 for the sign-up fee. Registration ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8. All proceeds go toward the Lions Club so they can help those in need in the community. Awards will be presented to top finishers and age group winners.

During the meeting, council voted to donate $150 to The Lions Club’s 5K run.

The Lions Club will also hold its annual “Hayride and Hot Dogs” event on Friday, Oct. 29, at Heritage Park. The hayride departs at 6:30 p.m. so plan accordingly. Free hot dogs and hot chocolate will be available.

First Reading of the 2022 Budget

The total budget for 2022 is being advertised at $236,121, with a .7529 tax rate. The final public hearing and budget adoption will take place at the council’s October meeting.

Hydrant Flushing

Hydrant flushing in the town will take place from Oct. 5 to 7.

Two Employee Raises

Council approved raising Town Employee A.J. Sparks and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Eileen Hall’s hourly pay to $15 an hour.

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