A teen apologized to Centerville officials for their role in vandalizing Maplewood Park restrooms four times in March.
The Centerville Senior High School student, accompanied by family members, said they were sorry and took responsibility for their actions at council’s April 8 meeting.
Town utility employees discovered graffiti and plumbing damage. Doors had been forced open. Toilet paper clogs overflowed plumbing. One teen cracked a toilet tank by standing on it.
Police recognized some participants from security cameras. Centerville-Abington Community Schools identified others. All four are CSHS students.
The restrooms have been repaired.
Other business
- Centerville-Center Township Public Library’s new director Emmanuel Mendez was introduced. Appraisals are being gathered for the former town hall, which library leaders want to rent during its renovation. Council learned it must allow public bids for the yearlong rental because it doesn’t want to sell the building and its plans for it aren’t immediate.
- Council approved officers earning overtime for working extra patrols through Operation Pullover to reduce fatalities and injuries related to seat belt usage and impaired driving. Indiana Criminal Justice Institute covers 80% and the town pays 20%. Councilor Jack Bodiker was absent.
- Town Manager Kevin Slick noted a couple of iron releases during valve openings and closings that caused discolored water. He said there’s no danger to drinking water. Residents can let faucets run to clear water.
- Council approved two sewer billing adjustments because evidence showed leaking water didn’t go down the drain. Council tabled another request. Residents must contact Slick for verification before repairs are made so leaks might qualify for adjustments.
- Council President Dan Wandersee shared Accelerate Indiana Municipalities’ alert regarding Senate Bill 1’s potential property tax impact on towns, libraries and schools. “It’s going to affect all of us, and some of it not in a good way,” Wandersee said.
- The town had another combined sewer overflow on April 5 because of heavy rain. Slick said a few sewer lines are being jetted after backups in recent weeks.
- In March, code enforcement investigated six cases. Four were cleared without enforcement; one was cleared with enforcement; one was unfounded.
- Centerville Fire/Rescue received 72 calls in March: 45 medical, 24 fire, and three others. CF/R Auxiliary is discontinuing costly soup suppers, and trying an 8-11 a.m. May 10 pancake breakfast fundraiser at Station 1 for freewill donations.
- Slick received a purchase order from the Department of Energy for the town’s electric infrastructure upgrade. A kickoff meeting is planned for April 23. He’s hopeful material orders will start soon.
- Wandersee attended Indiana Municipal Power Association’s annual meeting and learned about artificial intelligence’s electrical demands. He said preparations are needed to avoid blackouts.
- Council’s next work session will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, in town hall, 220 E. Main St. Two events at Maplewood Park: Archway Days fundraising auction at 4 p.m. Friday, May 2, and a gathering after the veterans’ parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, along U.S. 40.
A version of this article appeared in the April 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.