North Webster Council Pumps It Up
North Webster Town Council approved an emergency pay out project to replace a volute pump at the north shore sewage station in Epworth Forest at the Tuesday evening meeting at the North Webster Community Center. While Epworth Forest is not in the town limits, the sewage system serving the area belongs to the town.
By declaring the emergency, this allows the town to fund the project as part of the upgrade of the system and wastewater treatment plant the town has applied for a grant to accomplish. “To repair the pump is $5,000 while a new one is $8,000. The old one has been in service since 1992 so it seems wise to replace it,” explained Serern Trent Services Utility Manager Mike Noe. The ability to fund it through the project was suggested by Rick L. Pharis, PE of Triad Associates, the engineering firm for the sewer project mandated by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Noe also requested he make a list of street sections that might need spot repair. He explained the cold patches have not held well on the potholes and by replacing sections, the problems of annual repair will be lessened.
The council signed the previously approved lease of the municipal piers at North Webster Town Park with Dixie Haven Resort for the 2015 season.
The park board report was given by President David Waliczek and Secretary Tammy Waliczek. The board held its first meeting to elect officers and go over the budget. Music in the Park free concert series has all the acts booked for the 2015 season. It is held at 7 p.m. Fridays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend in the park. All are invited to attend.
Webster Lake Ski Bees have one quote for the pier extension needed for water ski shows and are seeking others. The next meeting of the park board is 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the party room, North Webster Community Center.
Police Chief Greg Church noted, “The department is always busy. Compared to what was going on 15 years ago, there is little down time.” In February, the department had 186 calls of service with the most by far being traffic related followed by accidents and citizen assists. Officers worked 486 hours and drove 3,321 miles using 256.2 gallons of gas.
Attending the meeting were council members Jon Sroufe, Lisa Strombeck and Tim Hine; Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Luce; Town Attorney Jack Birch, Noe, Pharis, the Waliczeks, and Church.
The next regular town board meeting will be a week later than usual, 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, party room, North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.