Silver Lake Council member Dana Owens and Silver Lake Fire Chief John Conley.

SILVER LAKE —  At the Silver Lake town council meeting held Wednesday, July 12, council members heard from several residents regarding property issues, tree limbs and side by side vehicles.

Silver Lake resident Mike O’Brien was in attendance to share his concerns regarding a tree that hangs over his property on Shutt Avenue, Silver Lake. O’Brien said the tree sits on a lot owned by the town.

“My property is adjacent to a property owned by the city. There is a tree on that lot and the tree is over fifty percent rotten. I’m concerned about limbs coming down and crushing my car. The limbs hang over my driveway where I park. Something needs to be done with the tree,” O’Brien said.

Silver Lake Street and Sewer Superintendent JT Prater stated there is no money in the budget to take care of this currently, so it might be next year before the town is able to address the tree situation, to which O’Brien responded, “It’s so bad that I’m not sure it will survive this summer. If one limb comes out of that tree, it will hit my vehicle on my property.”

Council members asked Prater to get together with O’Brien and check into the situation and see if something can be worked out. Prater and O’Brien both agreed to this suggestion.

Silver Lake resident Anthony Cooper, who owns a property on South Edgewater Drive, Silver Lake, requested a vacation from his property line to the edge of the water. Cooper said he spoke with the Kosciusko Planning Commission in Warsaw about this matter and was given a permit. Attorney Jay Rigdon, who sat in for Attorney Scott Reust at the July 12 meeting, reviewed the paperwork Cooper presented and informed council members that the paperwork was not for a vacation of the property but a request for variance.

Rigdon told Cooper that in order to avoid any potential property issues, “You want to make sure to get it done right.” Rigdon suggested starting the process by having Tonya Conley, Silver Lake council treasurer, type up a letter stating that the town of Silver Lake has no issue with the variance. Council members approved this suggestion.

Silver Lake resident Steven Rockwell attended the meeting to request that side by side vehicles be allowed in town. Rockwell owns a UTV, which he described as being similar to a Bobcat. Rockwell said he uses this vehicle for plowing and would like to be able to drive it both in and out of town. Council members discussed this and agreed to check into this matter, with the possibility of passing an ordinance with stipulations. Rigdon offered to send council members a copy of the UTV ordinance that was recently passed in Milford.

Prater presented bids from Pavement Solutions Inc., Middleton, and Gaunt & Son Asphalt Inc., Wabash. Pavement Solutions Inc. submitted a bid for $7,500 a day to seal cracks in streets. Prater stated he would like to obtain the services of Pavement Solutions for one day. Council members approved this request. Gaunt & Son Asphalt Inc. submitted a bid for repaving and coating streets for $42,370, which council members also approved. Prater said he intends to address the streets south of Highway 14 first.

The Silver Lake Fire Department fish fry is scheduled for Aug. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. or until sold out. The fish fry will be held at the Silver Lake Conservation Club, 108 S. Elm St., and will be carry-out only. Fish, chicken strips and tenderloins will be available for $9 per lb. Sides include potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw.

Other news:

• The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9.
• A 2018 budget meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 19.
• Ross Hagen, representing Umbaugh & Associates, Indianapolis, gave an update on the Silver Lake water refunding transaction.