HEBRON | Town Council President Don Ensign said he and other locals officials have been busy laying the groundwork to encourage a strong future for this small, rural community.

Some of the improvements, such as the addition of a larger sanitary sewer line to improve the flow from the Snake Flats area on the southeast side of town, are out of sight. Other improvements are more noticeable, such as the widening of Main Street and the addition of sidewalks and new lighting.

"We have to improve the old so it can handle the new," Ensign said.

The Main Street (Ind. 2) improvement project, which is being funded by the state, started at the north end of town last year and will pick up again this spring to the south, he said. The work includes the addition of turn lanes in the downtown area.

Once the state wraps up its work, a local beautification committee will further enhance the area with trees, planters, benches and banners on the street lights, he said. There also are plans for the construction of a clock tower at the intersection of Main and Sigler streets.

The committee also hopes to one day upgrade the municipal parking area behind the businesses along the west side of Main Street, Ensign said.

Thirteen streets were paved a couple of years ago by the town with proceeds from the county income tax, he said.

Further improvements are planned for the town's sanitary sewer system, he said. The town will seek bids soon to improve the sewer lines from the west central area of town, in addition to pursuing improved lines to the south. Growth in these area has created a demand for more capacity.

"We're very excited about all the improvements," he said.

The community also has a new high school and renovated middle school, Clerk-Treasurer Terri Waywood said.

The town has made way for the anticipated growth by annexing at least 250 acres over the last few years, Ensign said. There also are plans to rezone land along Ind. 2 for business use.

There will be a groundbreaking this spring on a new residential development on the east side of town along Ind. 8, he said. The Village Walk development calls for single-family homes on 15 acres.

Population: 3,596

Race: White - 94.1 percent

Hispanic - 4.1 percent

Black - 0.3 percent

Asian - 0.3 percent

Median age - 32.9 years

Median household income - $42,103 (in 1999 dollars)

Source: 2000 U.S. Census]]>