Four Expenditures Approved By North Webster Council
By Martha Stoelting
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Town Council approved four expenditures, heard a presentation and tabled it at the monthly meeting Tuesday evening, March 16. It was held in the North Webster Community Center.
During utilities and police reports, requests were made for funds by Inframark Utility Manager Jayne Alger and by Police Chief Greg Church.
Alger had estimates for paving work from two companies. She had been instructed at the previous meeting to be sure the bids were apples to apples. Phend & Brown came in at almost $195,000 while Niblock bid $120.000 and change for the same work. The Niblock bid was accepted by council after assurance by Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Luce the funds were available. “The lower bid is about as high as we can push it,” she noted.
A bid by Site Works for a driveway, fire pit and storm sewer for $15,800 was approved by council. The competing bid was $17,500.
Alger also reported the sewage plant was in compliance for the month of February and one pump from the north shore is being rebuilt by Custer Pump.
Church asked for $11,500 for new computers in all four police cars. They are compatible with the county and the old ones had been used for several years. Council approved.
Although the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Office got county funds for new cameras for all police units, the new Wi-Fi for them will cost $1,080. Church explained they would automatically download when brought back to the police station. The amount was passed.
A grant for $30,000 for 100 percent funding of the new radio systems was approved by council to be applied for. The radios are necessary because the county is changing systems. There were 191 calls of service for the police department in February with the most 21 being traffic related. Officers worked 795.75 hours, drove 3,300 miles and used 311.8 gallons of fuel. The department is still taking applications for a new officer at the police station.
As requested at the February council meeting, Craig Novak of i am GIS, Indianapolis, made a presentation about a mapping GIS system for the sewers. It would simplify the process greatly, speed repairs, take and process work orders, and is user friendly. The cost would be $5,000 up front cost plus $3,000 annually. Council President Lisa Strombeck asked Novak to review the costs again at the end of the presentation. The $3,000 per year rate can be locked in for three years.
Alger noted she had checked references with the town of Veedersburg which has used the system for four years. Their utility manager was very pleased with it and the company. Veedersburg has about 2,000 residents. Council member David Waliczek suggested the final decision be tabled and it was agreed to do so.
Council member Dan Thystrup reported he is working with the experts on trails to get a feasibility study so the grant process for trails and sidewalks can begin.
The next meeting of the North Webster Town Council will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St. This is a week later than usual.