Abatement OK'd for brewing company

NEW BREMEN - Village council members on Monday approved final reading of an ordinance establishing an eight-year, 45-percent tax abatement for the New Bremen Brewing Co.

Business owners James and Diane Gilberg plan to open a microbrewery on the west edge of the village in the Bunker Hill Industrial Park, directly east of the Fastenal building and fronting State Route 274. The planned building would be 3,600 square feet with seating for up to 85 people.

The brewery, to be named Gongoozle, will have James Gilberg as the brewmaster along with three full-time and three part-time employees. The business would have an A1C permit, which would allow beer to be produced and sold on the premises. The owners hope to be operational by this fall.

Members also gave final approval to renewing the village employee insurance plan with Anthem. The plan, which goes into effect May 1, will see the same coverage levels with workers absorbing a 5.1 percent increase and a $5,400 out-of-pocket family limit.

Administrator Chris Dicke said she had met with officials from GPD Group, an electrical engineering firm, concerning replacing the electrical transformer that failed earlier this winter. The lowest quote for work was $107,831, of which the village must pay a $15,000 deductible. GPD employees have also reviewed the village's industrial electrical loop.

"We are in relatively good shape for 10 years before we would need to update any big items. We should and will continue to do preventive maintenance," Dicke said.

Vectren should complete its work on the Eastmoor/Front Street project this week, with general contractor Shinn Brothers expected to start the last week of April.

Mayor Jeff Pape informed council the village is working with Marketing Essentials of New Bremen to update and improve the village website.

"The goal is to give it a fresh face and updates and improvements every two to three years," he said.

Dicke went on to say the email billing and ACH payments available on the website continues to gain users, which makes the office more efficient. Updates should help improve the flow of information from residents to the village and make it easier to fill out and submit electronic forms directly to the village.

Dicke also reminded residents to contact village officials before starting a building project to get the necessary permits and verify property lines and agreements.

The annual village cleanup is from 8-11 a.m. May 5 at the recycling center. Residents are asked to consult the village website, newbremen.com for eligible items and to remember to bring proof of residency.