Pictured, from left, are Attorney Scott Reust and Council Member Dana Owens.

SILVER LAKE — At the Silver Lake town council meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 8, Silver Lake resident Steven Shankster requested that an alley beside his residence be vacated. Shankster resides at 501 S. Jefferson St. in Silver Lake. Shankster also requested that his property be rezoned from agricultural to commercial.

“Historically, I think we’ve been adverse to closing any alleys where anybody was adversely affected,” said Council President Chad Miner. “I wouldn’t have a problem with the east and west portion, but I believe we have at least one resident who would be concerned about the north-south.”

Eventually, Council Member Phil Shalley and Miner agreed that the alley could be vacated east and west but not north and south. Council Member Dana Owens did not vote on this issue due to a conflict of interest as her property is adjacent to the alley. 

Ty Bancroft, a contractor for The Bancroft Companies, South Bend, attended the meeting and offered to answer any questions that residents might have about the sewer and stormwater project. Bancroft feels there has been miscommunication between his company, the town of Silver Lake and Midwestern Engineers, Inc., Indianapolis.

According to Bancroft, they do not have the supplies needed to begin work at this time. 

“There’s been a redesign of the project,” said Bancroft. “We did not cancel the original order nor did we know it had been canceled by someone else. I’m assuming that was not you – and it certainly wasn’t us.” 

Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley inquired about a change order for the redesign.

“I don’t have one,” Bancroft said.

Conley and Bancroft agreed that the next step would be to contact Mark Sullivan of Midwestern Engineers.

“A change order is a requirement,” said Conley, with Bancroft immediately agreeing.

“I’ll be here at every meeting until we’re done,” Bancroft said. “We’d really like to come back to work.”

 Other News:

• Council members approved a payment of $1,800 to the county for the town election. 
• Silver Lake Water Department Superintendent Joey McNeal requested approval to purchase a new utility vehicle to replace the one that was damaged in the severe storm last month. McNeal presented a quote from Rice Ford, Warsaw, in the amount of $33,598. This was approved by council members. 
• The Silver Lake Fire Department fish fry will be held from 4-7 p.m. (or until sold out) on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the conservation building at 108 S. Elm St.
• A public hearing regarding a USDA rural development grant will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the town hall.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12.