North Webster Town Council was introduced to the newest police officer at the Tuesday, Sept. 19, meeting. From the left are council members David Waliczek, Lisa Strombeck and Jon Sroufe with new officer Erick Sawyer and Police Chief Greg Church.

NORTH WEBSTER — It all came down to about $200 for the North Webster Town Council.

Severn Trent Utilities Manager Mike Noe presented bids for a 2018 Ford truck for the department at the monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Sept. 19 at the North Webster Community Center. Burnworth Zollars Ford, Ligonier, got the nod with the lowest bid of $31,200.

Noe assured the council the bidding had been apples to apples on the same truck. Other companies under consideration were Kerlin Motors, Silver Lake, and Rice Ford, Warsaw.

In other utility department business Noe reported the north shore lift station in Epworth Forest is in the process of being worked on. The council approved a ballpark figure of $7,000 cost for by passing the line while repairs are completed. The dates scheduled for service are Oct. 18-20.

A storm sewer drain collapsed and has been repaired while a sewer gas smell had been noted at lift station 10 and it is being monitored. Noe will gather information on new Christmas light for the council. If not available for this year, then 2018 is the target date.

Police Chief Greg Church introduced new officer Erick Sawyer to the council. He is currently doing field training and will start work officially Oct. 23. It is his first job in law enforcement and he is enjoying the experience so far.

Police officers answered 257 calls of service during August with the most by far being traffic related. Officers worked 628.25 hours, drove 3,250 miles and used 297.3 gallons of fuel.

The parks department is obtaining roof quotes, the new fencing has been ordered and a good clean up will be done at the end of the season according to council member David Waliczek.

The council tabled a sewer ordinance amendment until the next meeting.

Chris Bragan, 410 EMS W17 Lane, approached the council about advice on redoing his septic system. He wanted to know if there is a state mandate for sewer systems to be installed in rural areas. Bragan’s property is not in town and not on the town’s system.

Council President Jon Sroufe said to the best of the council’s knowledge no such mandate is in the offing. Noe agreed. There had been talk about Knapp Lake Regional Sewer District adding the rest of Webster Lake area to its system but nothing had come of it and the KLRSD had completed its work in its area.

The next meeting of the of council will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.