After a big year in 2014, the Silver Lake Town Council will push forward into a busy 2015 year with a full head of steam. The past year saw the opening of Rambler Park, as well as a larger area for which the town speed limit of 30 mph will apply.

The speed limit of 30 miles per hour was pushed outward so that it no longer applies to just the Silver Lake area, but also along SR 15 as it approaches the town from both the north and the south. This was done in order to ensure approaches by automobiles entering or passing through the town.

The council of Town Council President Chad Miner, Councilmen Phil Shalley and Gale Owens and Town Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley will remain intact heading into 2015.

Miner stated though safety measures have already improved, there are plans to continue the efforts in 2015, “Looking forward one of the things we would like to do is to put in sidewalks in order to connect some of the homes and businesses on the far north side of town with the rest of town in order to increase pedestrian safety.”

Miner added he was pleased with the council’s ability to remain a level of frugality while still meeting needs, “We have been doing a lot of hard work to keep spending under control while still meeting the towns needs. I think a lot of that has to do with the department heads and the budget cutting they are doing.” Miner noted Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter, Water Superintendent Joey McNeal, Street Superintendent J.T. Prater and Fire Chief Morris Jones deserve most of the credit for the town’s ability to keep expenses to a minimum while still operating at a high level.

Conley stated through the $61,000 Blight Elimination Grant the town received in 2014, the council will be clearing out three abandoned homes in the area to create new green spaces near the lake in 2015.

The town was also the recipient of a grant from the Kosciusko County Foundation that will go toward building a new pavilion, new restrooms and a new concession stand at the Rambler Park. “We are working on our state permits and our county permits now. We should start our construction hopefully, if the weather breaks, in March or April,” explained Conley.