SILVER LAKE — Streets were again a major topic during the regular meeting of the Silver Lake Town Council, held Wednesday evening, June 8.

Under old business, the council approved on second reading an ordinance to change Pearson Boulevard and Myrtle Glenn Road from one-way to two-way streets and to reverse the direction of Shutt Avenue from one way, westbound to one way, eastbound.

Town Marshall Craig Hollopeter pointed out Pearson and Myrtle Glenn are both wide enough to be two-way streets. Pertaining to Shutt, he expressed concern about westbound drivers’ vision being obstructed by the setting sun, causing dangers for kids who play near the bottom of the hill.

Clerk-treasurer Tonya Conley will advertise the changes in the local news media and the Silver Lake Police Department will begin issuing citations for wrong-way drivers 30 days after. Traffic stops will occur for wrong-way drivers, he added, but citations will not be issued during that time frame while drivers get used to the change.

Terry Baker expressed concern about tree pickup at his mobile home park. He noted he has been working on major renovations to the park, some of which have included disposing of dead and dying trees. He noted the town had ceased picking up the branches so he began burning them but was asked to stop.

Council members noted that, by state statute, burning cannot take place inside a mobile home park. However, there is an appropriate space outside the park where he can burn the branches, provided he does so in a metal container with a mesh covering over the top.

Terry Rouse, a resident of Neher Road, expressed concern about the road being widened for paving, which will require cutting into 3 feet of his front lawn. He told council members he had spoken with other residents along the same stretch and that all were opposed. Council member Phil Shalley noted when the council spoke with the same residents, they had not had a problem with the widening.

Rouse argued he is the only one who will be affected, stating one of his neighbors lives out of town and the others will not have their properties cut into. Shalley and council member Chad Miner told him the decision to pave had been approved last month, following discussion from the previous meeting. They also said Rouse had been in attendance and had expressed concern over trucks bumping through the ruts in the unpaved road.

Council members reiterated that the decision was made during last month’s meeting.

“I’m not done with this yet, but thank you,” Rouse said, leaving.

Other News

• Dana Owens has been sworn in to serve on behalf of Council member Gale Owens.
• The Silver Lake Lions Club plans to borrow the lightup bicentennial torch in front of the town hall, for use in the Silver Lake Days parade.
• The official Bicentennial torch will no longer stop in Silver Lake, but will pass through in transit Sept. 29.
• Reserve Officer Cody Mangun’s position was changed to part-time officer while he attends the police academy. Mangun also works full-time at Manchester University but will drop down to part-time during his time at the academy.
• Silver Lake Days are June 17-18. Participants are still needed for the bed race.