North Webster Town Council Hears From AWL President
By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — While it was a week later than normal, the North Webster Town Council met in regular session Tuesday evening, May 24, at the North Webster Community Center.
During department reports, Jayne Alger, Inframark utilities manager for the town, presented two options to replace the municipality’s existing dump truck, which has come into major disrepair.
The first option, from Jordan Ford, features a Ford F-350 body. It was noted any necessary future repairs on the truck would be relatively easy, given the available supply of parts. The second is an International truck currently owned by the town of Milford. It features a Maxx Force engine that, while solid, would be more expensive and difficult to repair. However, it includes a snow plow and salt spreader. Additionally, vehicles sold from between municipalities are given tax breaks.
The board is still waiting for estimates on repairs of the existing dump truck before making any further decisions.
Police Chief Greg Church offered his report, noting that the upcoming Memorial Day weekend 5K race in North Webster will not require road closures around town. However, officers with his department will be providing traffic and safety assistance for the runners.
Park board member LeAnn Hubbs presented the department report, noting new restroom doors had been installed. She added they are still waiting for the delivery of new fencing, which was ordered earlier in the year.
In new business, John Lantz, board president of the Animal Welfare League, addressed the council. He provided status updates on the AWL and thanked the council for their continued support of the shelter.
He said the AWL is celebrating 25 years as a nonprofit and reiterated it is not taxpayer funded. Lantz noted the AWL currently still owes $486,000 on their new building and is planning to begin a capital campaign in the near future to alleviate at least half that debt.
In other business, Rick Pharris of Triad Associates reported to the council on the contracted work his firm does with the town. He said parts of several streets — Arbor Vista Drive, Esterbrook Drive, Mary LaFern Street, Midlake Drive, TK Way, Tanya Avenue, Crystal Flash Road and Epworth Forest Road — were being maintained by the town of North Webster.
However, the roadways were listed as under the jurisdiction of Kosciusko County, which was receiving the gas tax payments for their maintenance.
He advised he was requesting the streets be officially transferred to the town’s jurisdiction so the gas tax funding could be properly sent to the town rather than to the county.
During the open floor portion of the meeting, resident Rob Wacker addressed the council on seawall issues he was facing at his home at the end of Mulberry Drive. Wacker received an estimate of $1,500 to properly repair the seawall and was asking for advice on who would be responsible for the cost, since the area is in a right of way.
The council, under the advice of town attorney Jack Birch, pledged to look into the issue and return with a more definitive answer.
Wacker noted he would be willing to pay for the repairs in full if the right of way area in question was transferred to his ownership. Birch said the process to do so was fairly complicated but the option would be considered as research was conducted.
The next scheduled meeting of the council is 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21. The public is invited to attend.