GRANGER — It was called an old fashioned town hall meeting, and the idea of Granger becoming a town is what most people wanted to talk about Tuesday night.

Granger is currently an unincorporated part of St. Joseph County. Town officials say no paperwork has been filed with the state.

Incorporating Granger would make it responsible for its own police and fire departments, sewage, water, street lighting and maintenance.

"Sewage problems in Granger are definitely, not maybe, definitely impacting business going in," said Bill Haughee, president of Granger Business Association.

Harris Township officials say, on average, it would increase property taxes by about $1,200 each year.

"That's a pocket book decision, and generally, people don't like to make decisions when it comes to their pocketbook. That's going to hit to the core for a lot of folks," said Angela Faulkner of the Harris Township Board.

While some say with Granger's growth, a move like this is inevitable, others are standing firmly against the idea.

People at the meeting also talked about other options besides incorporating such as developing gateway zoning. It would make a county ordinance specific to a certain area and would give Granger more control over what happens.

Another option was having the community come together and use State Road 23 to get improvements from the state. INDOT plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed construction on S.R. 23 in July.