North Webster Town Council handled important business at its meeting Tuesday evening at the North Webster Community Center, but a bit of levity popped up over the issue of stump removal.

The stumps are in the town’s right-of-way in an alley. Rick Monroe, of North Center Street, had asked if the council had any problems with the removal of five tree stumps from a property where they have a right-of-way. The council turned to town attorney Jack Birch for an opinion.

He explained that the property owner adjacent to the right-of-way actually was the person to ask. He controls the property. As long as the stump removal did not interfere with the town’s lift station or sewage lines, the town did not care. “They are not the town’s stumps,” he explained.

In other business, the town budget of $1,274,954 was proposed during the required budget hearing. The council voted to consider ratifying the budget at a special meeting set for 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at town hall, 144 S. Main St. The proposed tax rate is .366841 compared to the 2012 rate of .35885, a slight increase according to clerk-treasurer Betsy Luce.

Three bids for street paving to be completed by Nov. 2 were opened by Jon Sroufe, council president.

“The bids are for repair to the streets in town that need it the most in the places where repair is needed the most,” said Mike Noe, utility manager for Severn Trent Services, which has a contract to operate the North Webster Street and Water Department.

Areas to be paved, and graded in some locations, include East Washington Street, North Mulberry Street to Madison Street and parts of Fourth and Center streets.

The amounts of the bids were API Construction, LaOtto, $99,452.50; Niblock, Columbia City, $97,583.25; and Phend & Brown, Milford, $97,796.75.

After a review by council members and Noe, a special meeting will be held to award the paving contract at North Webster Town Hall, 144 S. Main St., 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21.

In a final order of business North Webster Town Marshal Greg Church noted that Trick-or-Treat Night will continue to be the same as it has been for decades, on Halloween. The hours are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31. This coincides with other towns in the area and with the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Fire Department Open House. Those who wish to have Trick-or-Treaters come to the door should turn on their porch lights.

The next regular meeting of the town council will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the North Webster Community Center.

For a more in-depth account of the North Webster Town Council meeting, see Wednesday’s issue of The Mail-Journal.