By JONATHAN SNYDER

A growing garbage dumping zone was the primary topic for the Markle Town Council Wednesday.

According to photos and testimony, substantial junk has routinely built up outside of Hotel Z, located at 730 W Logan St. The garbage has reportedly included toilets, mattresses and other furniture. 

“I wouldn’t want to live next to this,” said council member Nicolas Lund. That sentiment was shared by the other council members — Council President Mike Doss and Blake Carey.

Wendy Smith, who represented the owner Jian Zhen, stated that the trash did not belong to the hotel but acknowledged that it was an eyesore. Smith clarified that the hotel has security cameras, but they do not stretch far enough to see who is dumping the junk. 

Considering this, plus a failed inspection from the Fire Department, the council agreed to plan a meeting with Zhen before Feb. 12. 

Lund stated that while the origin of the trash is unknown, there are still some steps that Hotel Z can take to prevent the issue. Lund mentioned that there is no fence around the dumpster, which would prevent accumulation and allow for additional camera set-up.

Smith also said the hotel has had trouble getting the company that provides dumpsters to put lids on them, leading to animals getting into the dumpsters and wind blowing out trash. 

“There have been a lot of issues in that area, and they have not gotten better,” said Operations Manager Mike Grant.

After the discussion, the council approved an investment of $25,000 for bidding on a grant from the Indiana Office of Tourism. If awarded, this grant would go to upgrades to the Markle park. The grant will match the amount put in up to $250,000, and $135,000 has been donated locally already. Green stressed that if the grant is not awarded, the pledged money will be returned to the proper organizations.

Green also announced another $11,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Huntington. This money will help the town prepare for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8. Markle is in the path of totality, and officials expect it to become a hotbed of activity on that day. This money should help fund temporary portable toilets and salaries for parking attendants to keep things organized.

Additionally, the council discussed increasing to five total traffic safety cameras in Markle. Each camera costs about $3,000 annually, covered through the Redevelopment Commission’s budget. The cameras are expected in approximately six to nine months, but Town Marshal John Markley stressed that they are not speed cameras, nor surveillance cameras. 

The council also paid out 80 total vouchers totaling $144,413.38 and signed up to be a part of the Indiana tax refund exchange and compliance system program. This allows for any delinquent utility bills or other citizen debts to be collected from their state tax refund. 

The council also announced they are looking for a grant from Community Crossings to help rebuild the roads and sidewalks damaged in its future water main project. They are asking for the $2,000,000 maximum from Community Crossings, $500,000 of which will be matched by the town.

Furthermore, the council kept their elected officers and appointments the same for 2024, with Eric Hoover on the Wells County Board of Zoning Appeals, and Lund, Stephanie Hensley, Hal Mason, Doug Denney and Mark Hamilton on the Markle Redevelopment Commission. Doss will continue on the Region 3-A Board of Directors.

jonathan@news-banner.com