Wednesday night’s Silver Lake Town Council meeting saw the council vote unanimously in approving a bid made by Stafford Solid Waste to be the town’s waste disposal service for another year. The council voted for Stafford’s bid over a bid made by Waste Management.

The bid, put in by Stafford, will require the town to pay a monthly rate of $3,711.75, or $44,541 annually. An additional charge of $7.75 will be added for each new residence added to the list that Stafford is expected to collect waste from.

The board also approved $15,000 in appropriation of funds for the new pavilion at the park. Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley stated $7,500 would come from the town’s general fund, while the other $7,500 would come from the economic development fund. It was also explained how the town has secured a grant for the pavilion, and that the $15,000 would be set aside for use in the event of an unforeseen or emergency circumstance during the pavilion’s construction.

A good portion of the meeting was devoted to the need for paving on Neher Road in Silver Lake. Many residents had expressed interest in paving the road due to its rough terrain, but the town is unable to authorize any such action due to the fact that the road is privately owned. All of the road’s residents have stated their interest in giving the town control of the road in order for it to be paved. The council assured research would be conducted on the steps necessary for the town to gain control of the road. The request was tabled until next month’s meeting in order to allow time for obtaining information on the legalities of the situation.

When it was time for department heads to give reports, Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter noted Eric Kelly had been added to his unit as a reserve officer. Hollopeter stated Kelly had previously spent time working for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department in booking. Kelly also stated he had received word that the B and K restaurant next to the Silver Lake Town Hall would be opening for business sometime during the spring.

John Conley of the Silver Lake Fire Department reported his unit had made seven runs since the last town council meeting. Four of the runs were for medical assists, two were for fires and one was for an automobile accident.

The board approved the claim docket totaling $71,981.80. Councilman Phil Shalley remarked, “It is down a bunch.”

At the end of the meeting  Conley offered free smoke alarms to Silver Lake residents, “I have smoke alarms for anyone who wants one, they are free of charge you just need to sign a waver. Come by the fire department and grab them.”