North Webster Town Council members Lisa Strombeck and Dan Thystrup listen to concerns voiced during the council’s meeting on Tuesday evening. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — During the Tuesday evening, Sept. 20, monthly meeting of the North Webster Town Council, longtime clerk-treasurer Betsy Luce announced she would be retiring at the end of the calendar year.

Luce, who has served the town for nearly two decades, did not give a specific reason for her pending departure. She did say the Democrat party would be selecting a replacement for her in the coming weeks. Members of the council thanked her for her service and noted how much she would be missed.

During the open floor portion of the meeting, several residents brought their concerns before the council. Among those addressing the meeting was former North Webster police officer James Hastings, who was hired as deputy marshal last December.

According to Hastings, he served as a police officer in North Webster up until a month ago, when he was relieved of his duties by Town Marshal Greg Church. He added that he spent four months at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy but was unable to complete the training because of a kidney stone.

“I put a lot of time and effort into the Academy,” Hastings said. “I was 1.2 points away from graduating with honors. Then, the last week of the Academy, I had a kidney stone. I was able to pass the kidney stone, but unfortunately I was not able to finish the only thing — sit-ups, I had 60 seconds to do sit-ups. I was in so much pain I couldn’t do it.”

He noted that he had no ill will toward North Webster or the police department, including Church and deputy marshal Dave May.

“The week before this happened, I passed my exit standards and I need the town of North Webster to know I didn’t just go and fail. I was in shape. I still am,” he said. “I’m not here to ask for anything, other than I want my name cleared because an officer who gets fired for any reason, it’s never good. I needed you to know I didn’t quit North Webster. I did not quit on North Webster. I did not quit on the Webster Police Department.”

Scott Kuhn, owner of Tangibles in downtown North Webster, also addressed the council with concerns about the condition of properties neighboring his business. He said overgrown weeds reflected poorly on his business as well as the town itself. He also brought up the issue of abandoned vehicles that are located in various places around the town. Kuhn questioned what could be done about the problems.

Town attorney Jack Birch discussed the process of citing property owners for their derelict buildings and vehicles. He said he would look into existing town ordinances to see what was in place and what might be able to be done. Members of the council shared in Kuhn’s concerns but did not offer any direct responses on what would be done to address the problems.

May also expressed his concerns, noting he had previously spoken with Kuhn about the problems and promised to address the matter further, presumably with Church.

Similarly, Jennifer Weaver brought concerns about overgrown weeds in the alley between Washington and Mulberry streets, as well as a large pothole that is getting bigger in that location. Inframark Utilities Manager Mike Noe said he would address the pothole concern in the coming days.

In other business:

The council approved Noe’s request to purchase a necessary lift station pump. They also approved his request for $8,7000 to perform trench repairs near Lake Lube on South Main Street.

Matt Sandy, Kosciusko County assistant planner and floodplain administrator, addressed the council concerning the town’s flood program recertification. He requested and received approval to move forward with the county’s recommended floodplain plans.

Tax levy rates were presented by the council. It was noted there would not be an increase in the rates from the past year, with the estimated civil max levy at $508,508.

The budget is set to be adopted at the next meeting of the council at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18.