By KELLEY SHEISS
for The Post & Mail

Members of South Whitley’s town council approved a proposed initial sewer rate increase of 35 percent at their regular meeting this week.  The approval gives town attorney Greg Hockemeyer permission to proceed with public notification of the rate change.  Council members plan to follow the recommendation of Umbaugh and Associates and phase in the rate increase over a few years. This will be the first of three rate increases.  Umbaugh did suggest the first rate increase be a bit higher than subsequent changes to cover initial bond costs for the mandated sewage treatment project.
Under the new rate, a family of four that averages $40 per month in sewage bills will see its bill increase by $14 to $15, said clerk-treasurer Mitch Winger. A single retired person, who pays the minimum rate of $14 will see an increase of about $5.
In other town business, the council voted to change its regular meetings from a start time of 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  This change will go into effect beginning with the April 8 meeting.
Council member John Dunn said he has had a few people inquire about parking lines on State Street. He was informed that this would need to be addressed by the state. Dunn also inquired about the status of the Morsches building.  The idea of tearing down the building has been addressed several times.
 “Every time this topic comes up it is not an easy discussion,” said Greg Hockemeyer.  The building would be costly to demolish and there may be some historical significance to the structure. Currently the building houses supplies and signs and the only expense to the city to maintain it is the cost of utilities.
 Winger announced that a public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. April 22 to re-establish the Cumulative Capital Development fund.  Police chief Dave Wilkinson informed council members that Officer Carroll will be returning to work this week following successful knee surgery and that all officers went through Taser certification last week.
 In response to a resident complaint about yards damaged by snowplows, council president Tonya Porter reported that as soon as the weather breaks, the town will begin making repairs to those yards damaged.