NORTH WEBSTER — It was good news for the North Webster Town Council during the Tuesday, May 17, evening meeting at the North Webster Community Center. The town has received a share of the special, one-time distribution of the local option income tax from the state of Indiana in the amount of $36,000.

Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Luce noted, “It is being distributed to all local governments throughout the county. Seventy-five percent must be designated for infrastructure and 25 percent can go into the rainy day or general fund.” The council had to pass an ordinance for fund 257/LOIT to account for the funds, which it did with speed.

An alley vacation between 316 and 320 S. Morton St. was tabled until Severn Trent Utilities Manager Mike Noe can investigate and see what, if any, utilities are involved. It will be revisited at the next meeting.

The council approved a payment of $159,030 to Crosby Construction, general contractor for the state mandated sewer improvements. As explained by Jeremy Sponseller, Triad Associates, engineering consultants for the project, “It includes mobilization and general conditions as well as excavating. It also includes deductions requested on the change order.” The funds were approved.

Police Chief Greg Church reported the North Webster Police Department is serving citations for tall weeds and grass and junk in yards. “Those who have such should take care of the problem before it becomes a problem. Violators are subject to fines. One challenge has been inoperable cars with license plates older than three years stored on properties. These are in violations of town ordinances,” he explained.

Noe presented a low bid of $1,205 for patching of Willis Park Drive from Ranger Materials. The council approved. He announced street sweeping will begin Wednesday, May 18. Concrete repairs to the sidewalk on the corner by the Golden Mermaid at North Main and West Washington streets were also approved in the amount of $350. The award went to Black Concrete.

Council President Jon Sroufe questioned how construction is progressing with the Knapp Lake Regional Sewer District project besides what is being done in and around North Webster. No one had an answer.

North Webster Town Park Board President Brian Sand showed two bids to the council for repair of sinking concrete that involved access to the fishing pier and the Dixie. One was from A-1, and the other from Likens. Sroufe stated, “We appreciate you sharing but that is a park board decision.”

Sand also thanked North Webster Boy Scout Troop 726 for its help in getting the park ship shape April 30. He specifically mentioned Myles Lauber, Frank Sexton, Elmer Kirkpatrick and Andrew Marken along with adults Ed Sexton and Scout Master Scott Fox. Lake View Pizza King provided hot chocolate for all.

In other police department news, there were 177 calls of service for April with the most being citizen assists, traffic related and agency related. Officers worked 616 hours driving 3,230 miles while using 241.9 gallons of fuel.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the town council will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.