Town defers land bank option

Centerville council unanimously approved the town’s 2026 budget and agreed to join an opioid lawsuit settlement, but didn’t commit to participating in a countywide land bank.

Land bank

Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County is working with consultants to create a system to address and prevent blight by securing and preserving properties until new owners and uses can be found.

Towns were invited to get a seat on the land bank’s board for a $5,000 contribution. Town Manager Kevin Slick shared information at council’s earlier September meeting before the Sept. 30 deadline.

Slick said he saw the possibility of long-term benefits based on successes through a couple of previous county programs. However, he’d talked with a few Wayne County towns and learned they weren’t planning to join now. Council will consider the program again in the near future.

In other business

• Council President Dan Wandersee said a proposed opioid settlement has been reached with Purdue Pharma and other affiliates to address repercussions from improper marketing of OxyContin. The town’s document was to be submitted that night to meet the deadline. Wandersee said the town’s share is still unknown.
• The town’s previously discussed proposed 2026 budget was approved 5-0 with no additional discussion.
• Council approved contracts to update the town’s ADA and Title VI plans not exceeding $5,370 and to be eligible for Indiana’s Community Crossings road/bridge repair funds, and an engineering services agreement for up to $21,740 if the town receives funds.
• Centerville Fire/Rescue volunteers will staff stations between 7 a.m.-5 p.m. in October. They’ll gather data about community service needs to present to council. Chief Andy Aughe previously expressed interest in offering compensation for harder-to-fill daytime coverage, but that adds complexities for a volunteer department.
• Council agreed to begin negotiations with a landowner interested in obtaining a limited easement for land abutting town property but who didn’t bid when it was advertised. They discussed balancing taxpayer interests in getting the value of the easement in a sale against addressing health and sanitation issues related to sewage conditions. Martin will prepare a resolution for a future meeting.
• Slick said Centerville has received final federal government approval for its long-planned electrical system update. No timeline has been finalized.
• Wandersee distributed information about privately owned utilities such as Duke, NIPSCO and CenterPoint seeking bill increases between 19.8 to 26.7%. Wandersee said Centerville is fortunate to be part of the nonprofit Indiana Municipal Power Agency and its increases have been much lower.
• Council approved trick-or-treat from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
• The town’s outdated surveillance camera system is being updated. Each benefiting department is contributing toward the total estimated $10,000-$12,000 cost.
• Council approved buying Abington fire department’s used skid unit for $13,000. It’s significantly newer than CF/R’s.
• Council’s next meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in town hall, 220 E. Main St. The public is invited.