Centerville officials are concerned about the possibilities of Interstate 70 becoming a toll road and changes in how towns qualify for local paving funds.
Road discussion
Council President Dan Wandersee monitors legislation going through Indiana General Assembly before its session ends in April. During council’s Jan. 28 work session, he asked those attending to contact local lawmakers to explain how some bills could be harmful to towns like Centerville.
One he’s watching is House Bill 1461. It would expand authority to make interstates toll roads and disqualify areas without a wheel tax from pursuing Community Crossings matching funds for local paving.
Centerville and other Wayne County government units rely on Community Crossings funds annually to gradually improve roads and sidewalks.
During the meeting, Slick opened bids for 2025 paving of Willow Grove Road from Main Street to McMinn Road. The six bids ranged from $150,583.35 to $181,633. Seventy-five percent of the funds will come through Community Crossings.
Slick, attorney Ed Martin and the town’s engineering firm will review bids and bring a recommendation to council, likely at its 7 p.m. Feb. 11 meeting in town hall.
Wandersee and councilor Jack Bodiker also are concerned about the potential impact of toll roads on businesses such as Warm Glow Candle Outlet along I-70.
Bodiker recalled $12.75 tolls each way on West Virginia Turnpike and $30 I-77 express lane fees near Charlotte, North Carolina, during recent travel. He didn’t support Indiana leasing northern Indiana toll roads years ago. The original purchaser went bankrupt, and another investment group bought the rights.
Wandersee said the state first froze property taxes with caps and have first control of that money, and this bill could further reduce town and city funds.
Wandersee suggests state lawmakers make internal cuts before taking away local funds when Centerville’s operations costs such as materials, labor and utilities have increased.
“Our bills didn’t go down – they went up,” he said.
Wandersee said HB 1233 that would affect township government and small fire departments hasn’t moved forward since it was discussed at council’s Jan. 14 meeting.
First responders
Fire Chief Andy Aughe received council’s permission to research part-time staffing options for 2026. Because few volunteer firefighters can help during the workday, Aughe would like to have three or four available, especially in case of a fire or vehicle accident needing extrication.
In the last year, Centerville Fire and Rescue couldn’t respond to five or six calls, but fortunately they were medical calls and an ambulance had been dispatched, he said. Previously, more members were nearby farmers.
If the town and Center Township split the costs, each unit would pay $78,000 per year for a four-person crew.
Martin urged caution, saying paying firefighters could result in the department being considered professional and requiring benefits such as pensions.
Meanwhile, councilor Josh Tudor also encouraged review of HB 1186, which could affect the town’s reserve officer programs.
Next meeting
Council’s Feb. 11 meeting will start with a public hearing. Council is again pursuing a $50,000 comprehensive planning grant from Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Citizen comments and letters could earn points toward securing the funds. The town would spend $9,600.
A version of this article appeared in the February 5 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.