By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

ETNA GREEN — Etna Green Town Council is looking at hiring another employee to assist the town’s superintendent.

During a July 9 council meeting, Town Superintendent Bryan Long said since December 2023, he’s been working on-call 24/7. Long also pointed out some of the tasks he has are two-person jobs and said he wouldn’t mind if the person who was hired worked part-time.

Alliance of Indiana Rural Water’s Apprenticeship Program Coordinator Kelly Gardner and Water Circuit Rider Chad Reynolds attended the meeting and also expressed concerns with how much work Long has on his plate. Long is participating in AIRW’s apprenticeship program.

Gardner said before Long started the apprenticeship program, Etna Green had two full-time employees and one part-time.

“Bryan is getting really stressed out and feels like he’s not getting enough help,” said Gardner.

Long acknowledged difficulties in getting help, but said his work schedule was unfair to his family.

“I have a life outside of work,” said Long. “There should be another person available to help. I shouldn’t have to stop doing what I’m doing with my family all the time.”

“He’s an awesome apprentice and an awesome employee,” said Gardner. “He does right by this town and someone would sweep him up in a second. Please do what you need to do to take care of your employee and keep him here.”

Council said they have an applicant on file and need to complete the interview process.

In other business, the council heard an update from Chris Harrison, Commonwealth Engineers Inc.’s business development manager, regarding an inspection by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Harrison said there were some concerns with maintenance and upkeep. Commonwealth prepared a response letter, which was signed by Council President Heath Roberts and submitted to IDEM.

Harrison recommended the council move forward with an income survey for town residents in order to stage for funding from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for utility projects.

The council approved moving forward with having the Michiana Area Council of Governments serve as the town’s grant administrator and implementing an income survey.

Council also:

• Learned Etna Township Fire Department is selling tickets for a gun raffle until the next fish fry from 4-7 p.m., or until sold out, on Aug. 17. Tickets are $20 each or six for $100. The drawing will be live-streamed on the department’s Facebook page.
• Heard Indiana Municipal Power Agency will turn off Etna Green’s power at midnight Saturday, July 20. If it doesn’t happen on July 20, the outage will occur on Saturday, July 27. The outage will last about six hours.
• Heard from Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook that the town has to livestream their meetings by July 2025. Cook will look around at the town’s options for live-streaming equipment.

Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, in Etna Green Town Hall.