By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – At a short Wabash City Council meeting Monday night, the council approved two continuing real estate and two continuing personal property tax abatements for Bulldog Battery and one continuing real estate and two continuing personal property tax abatements for Owens Corning, formally known as Thermafiber. One of the personal property tax abatements created some controversy in December as it was approved retroactively by the previous city council after Thermafiber said it forgot to file the paperwork on crimping equipment earlier in 2015.
Attorney for Bulldog Battery, Joel Stein, told the council that employment at the facility totals 125, which is up from 90 during the recession. Stein also noted that the company became employee-owned last July. Stein also spoke for Owens Corning, saying that the tax abatement last year to replace the wiring in the facility did not create a single job but it has helped the company have deeper roots in the community.
The council also congratulated the Emmanuel Christian High School Boys Basketball Team who pulled out another Indiana Association of Christian Schools, Division 2, state championship win for the second year in a row.
Councilman Bob Greene also asked Mayor when the Wastewater kiosk will be operational. Mayor Long responded that date is yet to be determined, as notification of the switch from the billing office at City Hall to the billing office being at the Wastewater Treatment Plant must first be placed in the wastewater bill residents receive.