From left, are Council Member Cory Ellinger and Council Member Kevin Smith II.

ETNA GREEN — During its July 30 meeting, the Etna Green Town Council approved a quote from Beer & Slabaugh, Nappanee, for a sunken manhole project that council members have deemed an emergency.

The manhole in need of repair is at the intersection of SR 19 and Spring Street, near the Etna Green Mobile Home Park. Discussions on the project began in March of this year.

“An IDEM [Indiana Department of Environmental Management] inspector looked at the area and confirmed it as an emergency,” said Wastewater Superintendent Andy Cook.

The quote for the manhole project is estimated at approximately $206,000 for the work to be done and involves installing helical piers under the manhole. Helical piers are used as a type of foundation to secure existing foundations and are more commonly used in areas where soil conditions prevent traditional foundation solutions.

The project is expected to start in spring 2020, but could begin over the winter depending on weather conditions.

“We determined at a previous meeting that this is an emergency,” said Council Member Kevin Smith. Due to the project being deemed as such, there will be no bids from other companies for the project.

In other business, the council approved sponsoring the K-County Junior Roller Derby in the amount of $200. Three of the roller derby’s members and a coach live in Etna Green. The roller derby uses sponsorship money for travel expenses.

Etna Green Fire Chief Randall Byrer also asked the council if he needed permission to paint lines on the floor of the fire department’s truck bay to help drivers back emergency vehicles. The council told Byrer that the decision was solely on the fire department, not the town council.

Town attorney Jay Rigdon told the council that he’s been the town’s attorney for 35 years.

“You’ve done an awesome job for us, and we thank you for that,” said Smith.

“You’ve always been a great help to us,” said Council Member Keith Claassen.

Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook said that Aug. 1 wastewater bills will be estimated due to the absence of Deputy Clerk Eileen Hall, who has missed work due to a recent surgery.

The council’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13.