North Webster Council Chooses Strombeck To Lead It Again
By Martha Stoelting
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Town Council began preparations of 2021 by reelecting Lisa Strombeck as president. It was a unanimous decision by council members David Waliczek and Dan Thystrup.
“We thank you for stepping into some big shoes that needed filling and doing it well,” noted Waliczek. He was referring to the previous long-time council president, the late Jon Sroufe.
During new business, $5,985 in software upgrades were approved by the council. This was necessary to meet state requirements.
Pay raises of 3% had been previously affirmed by the council. Clerk-Treasurer Alice E. “Betsy” Luce showed the proposed pay raise charts, which were given the go-ahead.
The council made the usual round of annual appointments to town jobs. Town Attorney is Jack Birch. Greg Church holds the position of town marshal with David May, Dalis Owens and Sam Phat as deputy marshals. Candace Smythe is desk sergeant-secretary.
Pay rate totals including the increases are for the police Church-$68,968.60, Smythe-$53,045; May-$55,524.4, Phat-$45,618.70 and Owens-$43,000.
Luce has never accepted a raise since elected and her pay remains $41,600. Jama Roose is a new town hire in 2021 with her pay being $39,000.
Council also approved annual memberships in the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, and the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce.
Budget transfers and encumbrances were also passed along with a resolution that transfer funds from the 151 COVID fund to the 101 general fund. This was necessary to use the money to reimburse COVID expenditures according to Luce. Due to the way the calendar for 2021 falls, an extra pay period was installed to make sure paychecks remain biweekly.
Council members also filled out the conflict of interest reports.
The next regular meeting of the council will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.