Avilla planning for new library, park

The year 2002 in Avilla was marked by a political first, the resolution of plans for land for a new library and a school expansion.

The political first came in May, when the town held its first-ever primary election to choose the candidates for town council. Republican Ralph Stark and Democrat Kirk Alwine won their respective party primaries. Alwine was appointed to fill the vacancy left when Democrat Tom DeGroot resigned from the council because he moved outside the town limits, but Stark won the November general election.

The Town of Avilla, the Avilla Park Board and the Noble County Public Library Board reached an agreement in 2002 to sell the library board three acres of land in a large area bordered by Ley Street on the west, East Albion Street on the south and Miner Road on the east. The park and library boards will work together to develop plans for the new library and a new park on the remaining land.

St. Mary of the Assumption School added a seventh grade in the 2002-2003 school year, and plans to add an eighth grade in the 2003-2004 school year.

The year 2003 will also be a historic one for the school’s parent parish, since it marks both the 150th anniversary of the the founding of St. Mary of the Assumption Church and the 125th anniversary of the construction of the church’s current building.

HISTORY: Avilla, which was incorporated in 1876, has a rich history. Noah I. Hill first settled the town and it was named by Judge Edwin Randall after the French word “villas,” which means small town or village.

The town has deep religious roots as well. The current St. Mary’s Catholic Church building was dedicated in 1878. Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is one of the oldest parishes in the county and the oldest Lutheran congregation in the county, was organized in 1844. The United Methodist Church was established in 1969 following the merger of three congregations, two from Avilla and one from Swan.

Two of the oldest landmarks in the county are located in Avilla: The St. James Hotel and Restaurant began in 1878 and Provena Sacred Heart Home, which first opened as Sacred Heart Home in 1896, and moved to its current location north of town on Old State Road 3 in 1976.

POPULATION: Approximately 2,000.

GOVERNMENT: The town is governed by a three-member council — president Paul Shepherd and Councilmen Bill Krock Jr. and Ralph Stark. It meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.

SERVICES: Sewage disposal, water and electricity are provided by the town. Garbage is provided by private companies. There is a volunteer fire department. Toll-free phone calls are available between Avilla and Kendallville.

SCHOOLS: Avilla had its own high school until 1966-67 when it consolidated with Kendallville High School and Rome City High School to form East Noble High School. The town has three schools now, two private and one public.

• Avilla School, located on Washington Street, provides instruction for students kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of East Noble School Corp. Principal John Mazur may be reached at 897-2301 for further information.

• St. Mary of the Assumption School, 232 N. Main St., is a Catholic school with classes for children kindergarten through the sixth grade. The school added a seventh grade in the 2002-2003 school year, and plans to add an eighth grade in the 2003-2004 school year. The principal, Kathy Garlitz, may be reached at 897-3481 for further information.

• Oak Farm School, 502 Lemper Road on the town’s eastern edge, is a Montessori school. Serves ages 6 weeks through 12 years. Joanne Stutz, the head of the school, can be contacted by calling 897-4270.

RECREATION: Avilla Park.

SHOPPING: Marketplace of Avilla, a shopping center on the town’s east side, has a Dollar General store, the Avilla True Value Hardware and East of Chicago Pizza. Other shopping is limited and includes a grocery store, a florist, a variety store, a carpet center and a coat, glove and boot store. Shops are located downtown, in the Avilla Mercantile Building on North Main Street and Parker Outlet Center on Green Drive. Other restaurants include the St. James, one of the oldest continuous restaurants in the region; Julie’s Pizza; The Country Kitchen; McDonald’s; and Subway.

BANKING: Community State Bank has its main office in Avilla on East Albion Street. People’s Federal Savings Bank is located at 105 N. Main St.

ACCESS: Old State Road 3 (Main Street) and C.R. 100N (East Albion Street). S.R. 3 meets S.R. 8 and East Albion Street on the town’s east end.

TAXES: The property tax rate used by the town during 2002 was $2.7781 per $100 assessed valuation based on an assessed valuation of $56,135,520.

POLICE: Located at the Avilla Police Station across South Main Street from Town Hall, Glen Wills is town marshal and can be reached at 897-3555, or for emergencies, call 911.

FIRE: A volunteer fire department provides emergency services in Avilla. The fire station is at the corner of Main and Washington streets. The number is 897-3295, for emergencies call 911. Terry Brazzell is the fire chief.

TOWN CLERK: Jean Traxler, Town Hall, Main Street, 897-2781; open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to noon.

TOWN MANAGER: Bill Ley, Town Hall, Main Street, 897-2781; open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to noon.

LIBRARY: The Avilla Branch Library is located on West Albion Street and is a part of the Noble County Public Library. The phone number is 897-3900. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; closed Sundays.

POST OFFICE: Carolyn Parker is postmaster of the Avilla Post Office that is located at 227 E. Albion St. She may be reached by calling 897-2221. The post office’s lobby is open 24 hours a day. Window hours are 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Saturdays. Counter service is available during those hours.