The Andrews Town Council will soon designate a new name and purpose for the former union hall.
As of now, the building is used sporadically to host a food bank that councilman Ray Tackett says feeds around 175 people in the community.
As requests for use of the space from other not-for-profit organizations flood in, the council has asked any and all organizations wishing to use to the space to submit a proposal of when they would like to utilize the building and for what purpose.
The council invites all proposals to be read at the next monthly meeting, as well as all townspeople to attend that meeting and offer input on how the building should be used.
"I am concerned with the direction of the building," Council President John Harshbarger says. "The building is supposed to be a community center - the people of Andrews deserve the opportunity to use it."
Also at the meeting on Monday, July 9, the council heard a presentation from Mark Wickersham, executive director of Huntington County Economic Development Corporation.
Wickersham gave a year-to-date project update, explained pending activities and shared the latest unemployment statistics for Huntington County, which as of May 2012 stood at 7.5 percent.
Council Vice President Mike Rohler asked Wickersham what the town of Andrews has to offer new businesses.
Wickersham says Andrews has a good workforce that will "give an honest day's work for an honest days' pay," the ability to move freight, real estate value and a helpful local government.
Also a concern of Rohler was increasing the standard of living in the town, which Wickersham explained could be done by offering incoming employers an incentives opportunity.
Council also expressed the need for a retail location in Andrews, such as a Dollar General store, and requested the help of Wickersham and the Economic Development Corporation in attracting such a business.
The council must approve a new liability insurance contract by July 21.
The council will hold two special meetings next week, on Monday, July 16 at 5 p.m. and Friday, July 20 at 1 p.m. to review and approve a new contract.
Rohler requested that all parties presenting a bid for the contact create a clear, concise two-page proposal for a three-year contract.
In other business:
• Clerk/Treasurer Bill Johnson explained the need to begin discussing the 2013 budget and reviewing the need to update the towns' computer system and printer.
Johnson also reported he will have the new town website, www.andrewsin.com, up and running within the next few weeks. He says he hopes it will be a good source of information for the townspeople.
The website will have information such as the community calendar, town meeting minutes, trash pick-up dates, utility online bill pay and other town information.
• Utility Superintendent Colin Bullock reported the town needs to start focusing on water conservation.
Bullock says even though the town does not have a shortage at this time, the state has asked that all towns begin to conserve water in anticipation of another dry month in August.
Also, he noted several sinkholes he will soon repair on Market Street and River Road.
Rohler asked Bullock to repair the drain culvert near the gas station by installing a cement footer.
Bullock also reported his department has kept up, to the best of its ability, on tree removal after the storm on June 29.
• The town's phone system was discussed, and it was stated a revamp of the system can begin after July 19.
• The parks department reported the installation of the new equipment ordered last month has gone smoothly, and the park is in good condition.
