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Huntington council annexes land for possible Indiana Box expansion

The Huntington Common Council voted to annex a little over 20 acres of land to the city during its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

The land is adjacent to Indiana Box, on 1200 Riverfork Drive. Bryn Keplinger, director of Community Development and Redevelopment, explained that he and the manufacturer had been in contact for about 18 months, discussing annexation that would enable the company to expand if it desired to. Prior to council’s action, growth was not possible as any new or expanded buildings would have crossed property lines and taxing districts.

The board’s vote to pass an ordinance authorizing the annexation was unanimous. In the ordinance, the annexed territory was given an industrial zoning designation and assigned to the common council’s 5th District.

Additionally, the board passed a resolution that adopted a fiscal plan for the territory.

The annexation will become effective March 1.

In other business:

• Council passed on first read an ordinance appropriating an additional $130,000 for the closure of the Huntington Landfill. Bob Caley, City Services superintendent, explained that $100,000 was needed so engineering firm Strand Associates could perform testing while $30,000 was required to move test wells, in compliance with a request from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

• The board passed an ordinance stipulating that members of the council who get appointed to the Board of Public Works and Safety shall not receive the compensation that is paid to that board’s members. Rather, council members will just receive the compensation they are due as members of council.

• Council listened to reviews of the 2017 activities of Huntington County Economic Development and the Huntington Prevention Task Force. The Task Force’s representatives, Jenna Strick and Jan Williams, noted that the group’s Community Dialogues on Diversity Series would commence Monday, Jan. 22, with stories from individuals who are recovering from addiction. The meeting will be held at the Huntington City-Township Public Library’s Huntington branch from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.