Pictured, from left, are Silver Lake Town Attorney Austin Rovenstine, Council Member Gloria Jean Weller, Council President Nichole Taylor, Council Member Medard “Hugh” Murfin, and Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley. InkFreeNews photo by Brianna White.

By Brianna White
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — Brett Burch, Ecosystems Connections Institute, presented an initial proposal to the Silver Lake Town Council at a Wednesday, Oct. 8 council meeting, to put together a design report for improving the Shutt Avenue public boat launch.

Herb Manifold, Silver Lake Conservation Foundation, with the permission of the Town of Silver Lake, has been working with Burch on this proposal.

Burch said that the current launch has a seven-inch drop from the end of the asphalt to the solid ground under the water. This creates a ledge that has caused damage to trailers and boats in the past and will continue to do so if the situation is not remedied.

He said that they do not believe that they will need to do anything to the asphalt. The focus will be on creating a transition from land to water. In the end, it would be constructed similarly to the DNR public boat ramps.

Previous attempts for remediation have failed. In the past gravel had been dumped in that spot, but the DNR disapproved. The most recent DNR representative told them that it would be acceptable, but it is a divisive topic in the DNR and the next representative may not agree.

“This would be a permanent solution,” Burch said.

Because of the lack of parking near the boat launch, Burch also offered to put together a parking lot evaluation, comparing the potential of additional public parking in locations already owned by the town.

Burch outlined that putting together a design report is the first step. It will include coming up with a design for the ramp improvements, getting estimates from potential contractors, putting together a parking lot evaluation, and applying for local, state, and federal permits.

Designing, receiving estimates, and the parking lot evaluation should take approximately two months. Receiving the necessary permits will take an additional three to eight months.

While Silver Lake itself is state property, the DNR does not own any property on the lakeshore. This is why there is no DNR public access site. This also means that the responsibility for paying for this project would be on the Town of Silver Lake.

The council voted to allow Burch and his team at Ecosystems Connections Institute to begin work on their design report.

Other Business

• Nicole Grzybowski from Baker Tilly presented an overview of Silver Lake’s projected budget and tax flows. There is expected to be a cash decrease in 2026 because of the projects planned, primarily the community center that is scheduled to begin construction in spring 2026. However, the town is in a good place financially, and even in the worst-case scenario, the town’s cash flow should remain healthy. New property taxes will be starting in 2026. The current local income tax contract will expire in 2027, so the town will need to petition the county for a new contract before then.

• The council discussed the property of Carla Buckles on Coy Avenue. She had been given a 60-day extension to repair her home, with the extension ending Oct. 8, so that she could explain what steps she had taken, but she did not attend the meeting. Council decided to impose a $500 fine unless she, or a potential buyer, can provide proof of evidence of improvements.

• Flushing hydrants will be the week of Oct. 20.

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday leaf pick up will be starting before the end of October.

• An online benefit auction is currently live through Metzger Auction here.

• Ten new and revised town ordinances will be presented at the next Silver Lake Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11.