NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Monday, Dec. 9, finished selecting its officers for 2020.

The North Webster Chamber of Commerce closed out its 2019 meetings with electing officers for 2020. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

Current president Jim Smith will step down at the end of the year. He will be replaced by board member Mindy Scaggs. Emily Shipley will succeed Amanda Meerzo as vice president and Tammy Waliczek will take Susan Stump’s place as secretary.

Kim Bolt’s resignation as treasurer was tabled until further notice and she will continue in her position after the first of the year.

Smith gave kudos to the chamber and the North Webster community in his closing remarks. “We do a lot and we have a lot to be proud of,” he said, noting the chamber runs “solely on volunteerism,” which he called “unfortunately a dying breed.

“I can’t thank you enough for all the help you have given me the last two years.”

With a “you’ve done a heck of a job” consensus, the board presented Smith with a gift for his service. “You are a beacon to us,” said Scaggs.

Meerzo will stay on the board, but resigned as vice president to devote more time to her business, which recently moved to a new location, and her work on the local day care board.

Bolt tearfully related her reason to step down as treasurer, announcing her employment of 27 years was being phased out by a recent corporate merger. Her job will end April 24, 2020, “and I could have to move outside this area.”

Fellow chamber members encouraged her to maintain her position as treasurer until April. “We love you and value you,” they said and Bolt agreed to stay on until then.

In other business:

• Bolt reported as of the end of November, the chamber had $12,252.90 in its money market account and $5,021.62 in general funds.

• Helen Frank, director of the North Webster Public Library, said the new library being built immediately south of North Webster Community Center will be “under roof by the end of the year.”

• The winter banners along Main Street have been put up. The summer banners, which have been in use since 2014, are “faded and cracked and need to be replaced,” according to board member Sue Ward. She will look into the issue after the first of the year.

• It was decided the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree will take place the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year, beginning Nov. 21, 2020.

• An estimated 200 people attended the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree. “It was great and lots of people loved it,” said Meerzo, who found “positive comments on every social media platform.” She said it was “good exposure and businesses had more foot traffic because of the lighting.” The River Coffeehouse reported serving 108 cups of hot chocolate during the festivities.

The board is next scheduled to meet at noon Monday, Jan. 13, at the chamber office in North Webster.