HOPE — Both direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 has forced the Hope Town Council to make a number of decisions that impact most of their 2,200 residents.
One of the decisions illustrates just how hard the northeast Bartholomew County community has been hit by the current economic downturn.
Utility bills
A number of council members seemed surprised to learn that 79 homes that represent about 9% of Hope’s population are in danger of having their water and sewage disconnected, utilities director David Clouse said.
All the payments that are now overdue total $31,110, Hope Clerk-Treasurer Diane Burton said.
Although a state moratorium that prevented utility shutoffs ended on Aug. 14, Hope Utilities — which buys its water from Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp. — is not regulated by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. That gives the council different options to consider in helping their financially-strapped residents.
“People are hurting, and I want to see them to be able to maintain their utilities,” council member Ohmer Miller said.
After discussing various options, the council decided to send customers who have fallen behind in payments a letter that presents an option that stretches overdue and current payments over an six-month period.
But that prompted council member Clyde Compton to ask what may seem like an obvious question to many: If a customer can’t afford to pay last month’s bill, how are they going to afford doubling their payments every month until the entire overdue amount is paid off?
The council discussed various options including making arrangements with township trustees, contact charitable groups and other organizations. Under the current circumstances, the council may consider forgiving a certain portion of some customers’ debt, Clouse said.
Hope Town Square closed
If COVID-19 had not emerged, renovations to the Hope Town Square would be complete, and the town would be preparing for it’s three-day Heritage Days festival.
But due to the virus, organizers announced on June 23 that the town was cancelling it’s annual fall festival for the first time in 53 years.
It was also due to the coronavirus that the completion date to finish extensive upgrades on the town square was moved back from Sept. 4 to Oct. 9.
Since construction began, the town square had been made available to the public from Friday evening through Sunday night.
However, a recent weekend event held at the shelterhouse resulted in damage to a number of upgrades that could result in added expenses and further delays.
“We’ve been trying our best to accommodate everyone, but it’s getting more and more out of hand,” council president Jerry Bragg said. “We’ve got to do something.”
So the council unanimously voted to keep the entire town square closed at all times until upgrades and renovations are completed. The only part of the square that will remain open is the playground on the park’s south side.
Currently, there are two upcoming events that will take place on the streets surrounding the town square. A Studebaker Car Show is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the final Friday Cruise-in, which will be held on Oct. 2.
But Bragg is warning that if guidelines regarding construction areas are not followed, “we will shut down everything.”
Utility office partially reopens
Since COVID-19 emerged as a significant threat early this year, payments to Hope Utilities either had to be mailed or dropped off in a mail slot at their offices at 529 Mill St. All questions and inquires had to be handled over the telephone.
But the drive-thru window has now been reopened, so customers can communicate with utilities clerk Debbie Hatton regarding their billing concerns.
The reopening will allow customers to immediately receive their payment receipts, as well as ask questions regarding their service.
But Hope Utilities Superintendent David Clouse says the window will only be opened enough to conduct business and allow conversations.
