Lots of Lights to see in Greentown Area

For the second year, the Greentown Lions are providing a Christmas light display at the Pioneer Village in the fairgrounds.  Several businesses and individuals, as well as members of the Lions Club, spent many hours setting up the displays.  An added attraction this year is the Round Barn.  The lights in the Village will be on beginning at 6 p.m. each evening through Christmas Day.  The Round Barn will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Santa will be in the barn on those nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. If any church group or other group would like to come out and sing Christmas Carols at the Round Barn, they may contact Deborah Winger at 765-669-0444.
    Visitors should enter the fairgrounds from the Payton Street entrance near the Lions Pavilion. Donations will be accepted but are not required. 
    While in the area, check out the light displays at the residences of Jim and Irene Hartley, 334 N. Green St. and Roger and Joyce Higginbottom, 519 W. Walnut St.  The hanging lights down Main Street are courtesy of Greentown Main Street Association and installed by the Greentown Volunteer Fire Co.  Just a short drive into the county will take you to the home of Sherry Hord, 1259 N 750 E.  Sherry has an entire acre decorated with a nativity, a pond with skaters, decorated trees with packages, snowmen, and lighted deer.
   

Town Re-evaluates Sewage Rates

           After the construction bids for the planned upgrade to Greentown’s wastewater treatment plant were opened, the preliminary rate figures had to be reworked.  The projected costs prepared by the consulting engineers, Wessler Engineering, were $5,275,000 for construction and contingencies and $1,094,089 for non-construction costs, which totaled $6,369,089.  Non construction costs include engineering and legal services.    The bids received ranged from $5,146,000 to $6,346,000. Council president, Joyce Higginbottom, explains the increase in bids over original estimates as the result of an increase in similar projects.  More cities and towns are doing similar projects, so the companies are not pressed to bid as low as previously.  The original estimates were collected during a low point in the economy and companies were needing more work.  The cost of materials has also increased.     The accounting firm, H. J. Umbaugh, revised the sewage rates necessary to pay for the project with a 20 year bond.  Sewage rates are calculated on the amount of water usage.  Currently households with a 5/8 - 3/4 inch water line pay a base charge of $6.79 per month plus $18.50 per 1,000 gallons.  Those who have wells and only use the town sewage system pay a flat rate of $49.97.  The proposed rates are a base charge of $12.29 and $33.50 per 1,000 gallons.  Unmetered customers will pay $90.45 per month.  The new rates result in an 81% raise.  Similar increases will apply to customers using larger water lines. The recently passed $10.00 trash pick-up fee and $1.00 storm water fee will remain the same, as well as water rates.
    The proposed rates were introduced in the form of an ordinance at a meeting of the Town Council on Nov. 13, 2012.  A public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 4, in the Greentown Town Hall. 
    The project will be financed with a bond.

"Frankenstorm" by Sea

                        By Kathy Sparling
Former Greentown residents, Tony and Kim Kinney, current residents Mark and Tami Lantz, and my husband Kevin and I left Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey on the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas on Sunday, October 28 at 4:00.  The port closed just 2 hours later in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy's arrival. 
   Our ship headed south into the storm!  The captain explained that we would have the wind at our back and, although it would still be quite uncomfortable, it would be the safest.  He stated several times that this storm was a bad one and he had sailed on ships for 51 years.  We had very little time on the decks before the crew cleared them and closed all the doors because the winds and waves from the storm were so bad.
  During the first evening of the cruise, there were many people battling seasickness—and not just the passengers!  The waiter at our table was quite sick.  The crew was kept busy cleaning up after the unfortunate ones.  There was an impressive line at the service desk to get free medicine, and barf bag dispensers were hung on all the staircases.
   The worst part came between 4 and 8 a.m. on Monday when the ship passed just 130 miles from the center of the storm.  The seas were extremely rough and we were frightened.  In fact, Tami tried to sleep in her life jacket for 4 hours!
   By mid-morning,

Tom Moor - 18 Gallon Donor

Tom Moor first donated blood when he was in the Navy.  He then donated when there were blood drives at Delco.  He now is a regular at the Red Cross Blood Drive, held every two months, at the Greentown Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.  Tom recently received a pin for reaching the 18 gallon donation mark.  Tom says he gives because “It’s needed.”  Susie Weaver, Kokomo District Manager for the Red Cross, explains that each donation can save 3 lives.  There is a constant need, due to accidents, surgeries, and cancer patients. 
    Ginny Jones is another person who knows the value of having a dependable blood supply.  Her husband was given 83 pints of blood in connection with his liver transplant.  She has  been a regular donor and has donated seven gallons so far.  Because of her commitment, she is the coordinator between the church and the Red Cross for the blood drives.
    The next visit of the Bloodmobile to the Greentown site will be Dec. 17.  Call 1-800-773-2767 to schedule a donation or just drop in between 1:00 and 6:00.

Sewage Rates to be Raised

  With the planned upgrade to Greentown’s wastewater treatment plant, sewage rates will undoubtedly go up.  The 5.5 million dollar project will be financed with a bond issue at 2% for 20 years.  If it qualifies as a green project, there will be a reduction in the interest rate.  Doug Baldessari and Brittany Dollar of H.J. Umbaugh and Associates, Certified Public Accountants, were at the October 2 Town Council meeting to present their preliminary findings on a rate study.  Their study shows a needed rate increase of up to 35%, with the statement that the rate may be revised when the bids come in.  Construction bids were opened on October 9, ranging from $5,146,000 to $6,346,000.  These were taken under advisement to be considered at the November 6 Council meeting.
   The state put Greentown on a ban which does not allow new sewer hookups.  This ban is due in part to excessive by-passes which allow raw sewage to enter Wildcat Creek.  Council president, Joyce Higginbottom, says, “The current plant is too small for our current or any future needs and will not handle heavy wet weather events, which are the main reason for a by-pass.” Council member, Scott Deyoe, wanted it made clear that wastewater and water services are not funded by tax dollars but by the users. 
   The Council voted to pay Umbaugh and Associates not over $30,000 for doing the rate study.