Inframark Utilities Manager Jayne Alger addresses members of the North Webster Town Council on Tuesday evening. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Two-thirds of the North Webster Town Council were present at the public session, held Tuesday evening June 21, with member Lisa Strombeck absent from the monthly meeting.

During the meeting, Council President Dan Thystrup announced that K21 Foundation has granted the town $200,000 toward the cost of a proposed walk/bike path that would link the town to Wawasee Middle School. The town is responsible for raising 25% of the project’s total cost of $2.5 million.

In other business:

• Inframark Utilities Manager Jayne Alger noted that her staff has been busy cleaning up damage from last week’s storm that damaged numerous trees and structures in town. They have been working to remove the debris prior to the start of the annual Mermaid Festival that will be held this week.

• Alger said she is still acquiring quotes to replace the station four lift pump located at Epworth Forest.

• North Webster Police Chief Greg Church said his department is prepared for Mermaid Festival. In his written report, it was noted that members of the department worked 712.25 hours during May and responded to 202 calls for service.

• Park board member LeAnn Hubbs shared concerns with the council of the condition of town-owned property being leased by Pizza King. She noted the conditions of the dumpster area and surrounding fence behind the business. The council recommended that she draft a letter intimating the town’s concerns to Pizza King’s corporate office, since efforts to resolve the problems at a local level have not been successful.

• Assistant Kosciusko County Planner Matt Sandy reviewed the town’s comprehensive plan for 2022, which began as a county project in 2019. Throughout the process, the town’s residents and leaders were offered the chance to provide input as to how it wanted to see growth in the community. Sandy announced that the county commissioners have approved the plan for North Webster, which is now in the hands of the council to review and potentially change or adopt. The council voted to approve the plan, although Sandy emphasized that it is a “living document” that can be changed and edited as necessary.

• The council approved the appointment of Marilyn Cassell as its appointee to the North Webster Community Public Library’s board of trustees.

• Town Clerk Betsy Luce requested and received approval to transfer $50,000 in unused appropriated funds to the “rainy day fund” for unexpected expenses.

• Luce announced a public budget workshop would take place at 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 11, at the town hall annex.

The next meeting of the North Webster Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, inside the North Webster Community Center.