North Webster Police Officer David Mays, left, is congratulated by Police Chief Greg Church upon his promotion to police sergeant by the North Webster Town Council and the chief. Photo Martha Stoelting.

By Martha Stoelting
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Police Department had a big night at the town council meeting Tuesday evening, April 27, at the North Webster Community Center.

A new officer was sworn in and a 14-year officer was promoted to sergeant. Police Chief Greg Church announced the hiring of James Hastings, Warsaw. He was sworn in by Town Attorney Jack Birch. Quite a bit of his family was in attendance for the swearing in.

David Mays was surprised to find he was the recipient of the rank of sergeant.

“Mays has been great to work with, handles many of the detective duties, and I look forward to working with him for many more years,” stated Church.

A police officer position is open for applications at North Webster Town Hall-Police Station.

Two council members were approved to represent the North Webster Town Council on the newly forming North Webster Tippecanoe Fire Territory Board. President Lisa Strombeck and David Waliczek will serve, it was decided by a unanimous vote.

An unopened, unused platted street running between 320 and 324 E. Stanley St. and South East Street were vacated at the request of attorney Steve Snyder for the Lantz family. No remonstrators were present. The area is fully developed.

“The removal solves a setback problem and no one uses the street,” explained Snyder when questioned by Waliczek. The property will return to the tax rolls being divided evenly between the two adjoining property owners.

Ordinance 176 was approved to accept any federal coronavirus grants received through the American Rescue Plan.

During the North Webster utilities department report, Inframark Manager Jayne Alger reported the department received two awards from the state for lab excellence and lab safety during 2020.

A new generator will be installed on North Shore beginning May 3 and street paving should commence in about two weeks.

The storm drain was repaired on Second Street. The department was in compliance for the month of March.

The council decided to table the vote on the Iam GIS proposal until next month or more information becomes available. Alger noted Kosciusko County will replace the maps of the streets and sewers for free and that would be a good back up if the GIS proposal is approved eventually.

“And certainly they are better than nothing,” noted Waliczek to laughter.

In additional police business, closure of West Washington Street was approved for the North Webster Lions Club Festival to be held Wednesday, June 23, through Saturday, June 28. Both the Cutie Parade and the main parade will be held on SR 13 as will the Memorial Day parade Monday, May 31.

There will 222 calls of service by the police department in March with the most being traffic-related followed by citizen assists-lockouts. Officers drove 4,025 miles, used 317.4 gallons of fuel and drove 4,025 miles.

The next meeting of the council will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, in the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.

North Webster Town Attorney Jack Birch, left, swears in new police officer James Hastings during the North Webster Town Council meeting Tuesday, April 27. Photo by Martha Stoelting.