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Government & School Board

County, city get Community Crossings funds

Huntington County has been awarded $652,000 in matching grant funds from INDOT Community Crossings program.

The money will be used to pave CR 100 N from Rangeline Road to SR 105 and Rangeline Road from US 24 to CR 500 N, according to Huntington County Highway Superintendent Troy Hostetler.

Community Crossings is part of Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s Next Level Roads program.

In related news, the county also has been awarded $2.2 million for construction work on Huntington’s LaFontaine Street bridge.

Andrews to seek SRF loan

She said that the town is currently looking at two different possible sites.  

Decisions regarding the project are made at the State of Indiana level. Although the exact cost of the project is unknown, Powell said that estimates exceed $5 million.

The state requires the town to submit three different plans with different possible locations.
 

In 2021, the town applied for project funding and was denied on all applications.

Downtown building to be razed

Demolition of a downtown Huntington building deemed unsafe will begin the week of Monday, April 11.

The structure at 201 W. State St. has been vacant for several years.  It is located across from The LaFontaine Center.

“Given its years of neglect, the property was deemed to be beyond savings with its roof, first and second floors all partially-collapsed in the rear,” City of Huntington Building Commissioner Shad Paul said.

Andrews council eyes grant options

Council members discussed upcoming grant proposals to help fund the new water treatment plant and well field south of Andrews.  

The Town of Andrews is applying to the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) for grant and low-interest loan funds to help pay for the project, according to Eric Woodmansee, AME Consulting. The town will learn in July or August whether the grant is approved.

City’s sidewalk program resumes for 2022

The City of Huntington’s Sidewalk Replacement Program has opened for the year and is accepting applications. Anyone who wants to repair a sidewalk in the City of Huntington can get help paying for the repairs for up to 50 percent of the project cost.

To qualify under the program, a sidewalk must have some sort of defect such as a crack or trip hazard. It covers only sidewalks that run parallel to a street, including sidewalks that run across a driveway.

If the sidewalk is on a corner, the city will pay the full cost of installing the required ADA-compliant curb ramp.

Markle Council considers tax abatement

During the Wednesday, March 16, Markle Town Council meeting, Chad Kline, of Wells County Economic Development, and Andrew Wigner, of Wayne Metals, were present to discuss a possible tax abatement for Wayne Metals.
Kline introduced the matter to council, asking that they consider the statement of benefits as well as a resolution for the new equipment that Wayne Metals is installing. The two machines – a TJ Snow Spot Welder and a Universal Feed and Machine, cost $98,900. Wigner then explained why the company was investing in these two particular pieces of equipment.

HCCSC to pursue high school renovations

 Huntington County Community School Corporation (HCCSC) will be pursuing extensive renovations at Huntington North High School (HNHS) over the coming three years as part of the corporation’s 2022 $25 million bonds becoming available under the current tax structure.

The funding has become available as a result of Crestview Middle School being fully paid off at the end of 2023, which will allow HCCSC to begin selling bonds for up to $25 million beginning in September of 2022. As such, there will not be an increase of taxes.

HCCSC approves Trout

John Trout (right) has officially been approved as Assistant Superindendent for Business and Classified Staff by the Huntington County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees. Featured, Trout shakes the hand of HCCSC Superintendent Chad Daugherty following the approval.
Photo provided by Huntington County Community School Corporation

The Board of School Trustees formally approved John Trout as HCCSC’s new Assistant Superintendent for Business & Classified Staff during the Monday, Feb. 28, board meeting.

Trout had been serving in the role on an interim basis since January prior to Monday’s unanimous decision to promote him to the full-time role.

Markle Town Council elects officers

During the Wednesday, Feb. 16, Markle Town Council meeting, a proposal to make a change for the usual election of officers was made by current Council President Matthew Doss.

The election of officers took place to open the meeting, and all positions remained the same. Doss was elected President and Nick Lund was elected Vice President. This election traditionally would have taken place in January, but due to council member Blake Caley being absent for that meeting, it was delayed.

Executive session at Roanoke library

In compliance with the IC 5-14-1.5-6.1 The Trustees of the Roanoke Public Library will convene Tuesday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m, preceding the regular meeting, in Executive Session in the Library’s program room for employee performance evaluations.

The Roanoke Public Library Board Meeting will take place at 7 p.m. that day in the program room.

Holdman comments on CollegeChoice529

With the help of the CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plan, about 10,300 families in Senate District 19 will experience reduced costs once their child enrolls in a higher education institute, said State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle).

CollegeChoice Savings Plans are flexible and tax-advantaged investment tools used to help individuals and families save for higher education and reduce loan debt. As of December 2021, savings within the CollegeChoice program exceeded $6.8 billion, with about $95 million held by Senate District 19 families.