An ordinance allowing residents within the town limits of Etna Green to keep hens was approved by the Etna Green Town Council Tuesday evening. The only exception is a $3 permit from the clerk-treasurer’s office must be obtained.
Jay Rigdon, town attorney, presented the ordinance, which Andy Cook, council president and Keith Claassen, council vice president, approved. Rigdon stated the fee and permit will eliminate individuals who were not serious about having the hens.
During other business, the council again addressed the high utility costs Brian Bradley is experiencing. Currently Bradley owes approximately $1,200 for two months utility payments and is facing disconnection of city water, sewer, trash and electricity. Bradley, a renter, stated he spoke with the owner of the mobile home, but has not received any satisfactory solution. He stated he will be hiring a plumber and electrician to see what is causing the extensive usage in utilities.
Bradley also stated he discovered the four-inch pipe under his home, going into the sewer, is not completely functional. “It’s wet under the trailer and there’s standing water.”
The town will install a limiter on his meter, which will kick off the power after a maximum of 50 amp is used. Laura Baker, clerk-treasurer, noted the previous tenants of that home experienced “outrageous bills.” Already, with 10 days into the month, Bradley has used over 800 kw of electricity. The average utility bill for other residents of the park is between $200 to $230.
While Bradley defaulted on an earlier agreement to pay the bill in installments, the town will be allowing another agreement to be signed, if he paid $200 by Wednesday evening and came in on Thursday to sign the agreement. Non compliance with the the promise will result in immediate discontinuance of all city amenities.
In other business the town::
- Approved a quote from Steele Ridge Builders to construct a 40-foot by 48-foot, 16-foot high pole barn to house equipment for the electric department. The cost is $23,025. The quote does not include concrete work, which can be done at a later date. The building is planned to be built north of the treatment plant.
- Approved a rate study by Sawvel & Associates, Findley, Ohio, on electric billing. No study has been conducted in over 10 years according to Barry Baker, town employee. The request follows concern by Winona Corp., over their electric costs. The cost of the study will not exceed $16,500.
- Community wide garage sale dates will be June 12-13.
The next meeting of the council will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9.