North Webster Town Council  conducted its first meeting Tuesday, July 15 as it was being recorded, per a new state law. Shown from left are LeighAnne Jessop, Dan Thystrup, Lisa Strombeck and Dave Waliczek. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — To be in compliance with a new law, the North Webster Town Council Meeting was recorded for the public Tuesday, July 15. A marketing company videotaped the meeting, which was about 15 minutes long.

According to the new law, as of July 1, town council meetings must be recorded and be available to the public to view and live streamed

NUP Media of Fort Wayne, recorded the meeting. The company is also certified to conduct governmental meetings, said Ignacio Poncio of NUP Media, and set up websites to do so.

While the council hasn’t hired the firm or signed a contract, the town council is in compliant as of its July meeting.

“If we weren’t here, you would not be in compliance,” said Poncio. “We are well versed.”

The council will obtain quotes from other entities that do video recordings of meetings, which must be available to the public for 90 days.

If meetings are not recorded, governmental entities would face legal action or legal fees. The town council therefore was in full compliance.

In department reports, Utilities Superindenent Mike Noe said a gate is being installed at the wastewater plant. He said brush was picked up Monday and his crew will try and get brush picked up weekly. A pump at lift station A will be installed soon.

Greg Church, police chief, gave the police report for June. There were 773 hours, 4,588 miles driven and 388.35 of gallons used. There were 306 calls for service of those 16 were battery, domestic or fights and one criminal mischief call. There were five fraud or theft calls, two drug related, four alcohol related, and 61 traffic related calls. There were 13 accidents, 26 citizen assists or lockouts and 16 agency assistance for fire or EMS calls.

Leila Dailey of the park board said “everything is running smoothly.” She said the dock is completed as well as work on the men’s restrooms at the park.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Aug. 19.