Neighbors v. neighbors over who had the right to cut or remove bushes from a property on Center Street extension brought quite a few people to the North Webster Town Council meeting Tuesday evening at the North Webster Community Center.

Town attorney Jack Birch explained the town could not make any decisions on a right-of-way property regarding bushes or trees if there was no reason for the town to use the right-of-away and at the present time the town has no reason. Therefore, according to Birch, the property owner’s rights superseded the town’s right-of-way. That could change next year, though. According to Severn Trent Utilities Manager Mike Noe, a sewage lift station may be installed on the right-of-way next year.

Owner Worth Packer and his tenant, Huntington attorney Richard Truitt, had suggested a privacy fence be built after a group of neighbors, represented by Richard Monroe, suggested the bushes be removed. The right-of-way provides access to the group of neighbors’ boat lots.

The neighbors were considering going together to build a retaining wall and patio on the boat lots and felt the bushes needed to be removed for construction access. The issue will be before the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals, which does have jurisdiction.

During the utility report it was noted that no new progress had been made as yet in negotiations as yet with Knapp Lake Regional Sewer District.

And in a final order of business, police chief Greg Church introduced new officer Clayton Rieder. Rieder will fill a vacancy left by Justin Lantz, who has resigned, effective July 25.

The next meeting of the North Webster Town Council will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, in the North Webster Community Center.