NORTH WEBSTER - Greg Church was sworn in as North Webster town marshal Wednesday during the town council meeting.

Church, 39, has served the town for six years, initially as a patrolman then as sergeant Jan. 1. He began his career in Milford.

Born and raised in Kosciusko County, he is the son of Walt and Connie Church of Chapman Lake.

Church first became interested in law enforcement around the age of 30.

He said a small town faces the same challenges as any other department, "except we only have one officer per shift."

The North Webster police force includes Candice Smythe, who has worked in the town six years, and Darrel Sopher, who has served for four year.

The town usually has four police officers and interviews are under way to bring the staff to full capacity.

Church replaces Jerry Craig, who resigned the marshal's position a few months ago.

After accepting Church as town marshal, the council heard from town attorney Mike Armey, who reported his findings on Short Street. He said there is no indication the town ever had any interest there and the 9-foot strip belongs to the current property owner, Howard Bockman.

Short Street was a topic of conversation last month when several residents noted recently installed rocks had made the boat launch unusable.

Superintendent of public works Marshall Minnick was asked to make the launch reusable in the spring. Armey's investigation, however, shows the town has no rights to the property.

Armey also said he had looked into a noise ordinance, saying the town would have difficulties making it stick.

For one thing, equipment to measure the noise in decibels is necessary. He suggested using the nuisance ordinance in cases where noise is bothersome.

Minnick reported he is way ahead on snow plowing, acknowledging there has been no snowfall this season.

He said he was turned down again by a salt vendor but has enough to get started when the snow flies.

He also said the Effie Mae Drive sanitary sewer line has been installed. The council also:

• Heard the Tippecanoe Fire Department officers are Harold Gunkel, chief; Dave Rensbarger, first officer; Kenny Gunkel, second officer; Jeremy Likens, captain; and Dave Dishman, training officer.

• Ken Strong presented a request for an alley vacation running east and west through property he plans to purchase. The alley is off Lura Mae Street, south of Effie Mae Street, between lots 12 and 13 in Strombeck's third addition.

• Approved Ken Olson's request to display new furniture in his residentially zoned yard. The variance applies only as long as Olson owns the property.

• Heard from Mike Oberg who asked that the street arrow at Lance's Market be repainted showing no left turn onto SR 13.

• Heard from a senior citizen that several of her peers supported the idea of a senior center in the elementary school. If the Wawasee school district sells the building to the town

• Set the year end meeting for noon Dec. 27.

• Is considering setting regular meeting times at 5:30 or 6 p.m. The next regular meeting is Jan. 16.

Town council members are Kay Andrews and Jeff Morgan. Ken Wagoner was absent. [[In-content Ad]]