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Published: September 25, 2009 10:24 am
Council welcomes new reserve officer to force
By STEPHANIE DEBOLT
Correspondent
MILLERSBURG — Reserve Deputy Marshall Richard NcNeal was sworn into service for the Millersburg community Wednesday evening at the Millersburg Town Council meeting by Marshal Keith Hathaway.
McNeal, a Goshen resident, said he has been interested in police work all his life and is pleased that he now has the opportunity to exercise a long-time dream.
“I look forward to serving the town. It will be a new adventure for me,” McNeal said.
“Welcome aboard, I’ve heard a lot of good things about you and I look forward to seeing you here,” council president Jim Winkler said.
Eldridge honored
In a surprise agenda item, Millersburg Utility Superintendent Ben Eldridge was honored by the council after his recent award from state officials. Eldridge was not aware he’d be recognized and the council presented the “Prime Mover” award, outlining Eldridge’s outstanding service to his community and his district.
Eldridge was nominated by Curt Kent of Peerless Midwest and voted for by his district peers for this honor.
Through grants and Tax Increment Finance districts, Eldridge has returned more than $1.25 million ($385,000 in grants, $675,000 in the Carriage TIF district and $190,000 in the Forest River TIF District) to the community since his employment.
“He has done an outstanding job in this district, with improvements to the community, money- saving actions and other programs,” Winkler said. “This is a prestigious award and we’re lucky to have someone like Ben in our community.”
Business hours
Following a council discussion, it was determined that on Fridays the Town Hall will extend its business hours to 4 p.m., after requests from residents wishing to pay bills and complete other transactions at the end of the work week.
Winkler said that council members received several requests from members of the community who would appreciate this service.
Winkler also asked that the Town Hall be continually staffed from 8 to 4 p.m. on other days that the hall is open, except for unavoidable circumstances.
“We need to make sure our office is open when we say it will be,” Winkler said.
Other business
A contract of $7,487 was approved by the council, awarding Hoosier Foundation, LaGrange, permission to complete work on the outdoor storage bins at the maintenance department. The bins are used to house gravel, cold patch and other materials the department uses.
Winkler said that reconstruction was warranted.
“They’re in very bad shape. We’re going to replace them and do it the right way,” Winkler said.
Lot replatted
Millersburg county Lot 52, located at the intersection of Washington and Jefferson streets, was divided into two distinct residential areas after council members signed county documents presented by Robert Nemeth from Elkhart County Surveyor’s office.
The property had been a residential/commercial lot and now each property will be a separate entity at the request of the owner, Will Weaver. The change received secondary approval from the County Plan Commission on Sept. 10.
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