SILVER LAKE — Flooding has been an issue in areas around Silver Lake and, as of its regular meeting Wednesday evening, Aug. 10, the town council is one step closer to being able to apply for a grant to fix it.

A representative from Project Resources was present to explain the grant process. In all, construction costs are expected to be about $659,599 while non-construction costs are estimated at around $292,500, for a grand total of $952,000. Actual costs will be known once bids are in.

In all, approximately $500,000 will come from grant funding. The rest will be at the town’s expense.

The deadline to send a letter of intent to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs is next Friday, Aug. 19, followed by a public hearing, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. The deadline to submit the full grant application will be Oct. 14. Grant winners will be announced mid-November.

After that, the council will have six months to receive and award bids. Six months after that, construction will begin. The project should be done by the end of 2017.

Council member Chad Miner asked about a $350,000 OCRA grant to acquire blighted property. No decisions were made, but the council discussed visiting the idea once the sewer grant process is complete.

A public hearing also took place, during which Clerk-Treasurer Tony Conley requested permission to appropriate $10,000 apiece from two funds to add to the $25,000 budgeted for the bridge project. Citizens and local businesses have also stepped forward and donated to the project.

A resident expressed concern about the new sidewalk, part of the proposed bridge project, running through his property. He asked if the town could assume ownership of that strip of land so he will not be held liable if someone is injured on the sidewalk.

The town attorney noted no matter who owned the property surrounding the sidewalk, the resident would not necessarily be protected from being named in a lawsuit.

Council members and Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter agreed a sidewalk and guardrail are needed along the bridge area.

Other News

• The council approved New Systems LLC to treat two lagoons for sludge, ammonia and phosphorous to meet Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements.
• Conley was quoted $1,000 to upgrade the town’s website and add ordinances so residents can reference them as needed.
• The town contracted with Parkview EMS. The contract had always been with LifeMed and always cost $3,300 a year; however, Parkview will not charge. Conley noted Parkview is acquiring LifeMed.
• The council approved the U.S. Postal Service to continue traveling the opposite direction down Shutt Street, where the one-way direction has been reversed.
• Hollopeter inquired about hiring a collections agency for several properties, including the old school, where the owners are not paying fines incurred. He added that the owner of the Dr. Pepper building downtown is working with a contractor to see what can be done about the property.
• Conley asked Hollopeter to put unnamed individuals on the no trespass list at a local park.
• Hollopeter requested the town look into a newer heating and cooling system for the town building and meeting room.
• A citizen thanked Hollopeter for the Silver Lake Police Department’s handling of an illegal boater in July.
• The next regular council meeting is Wednesday evening, Sept. 14.