SOUTH WHITLEY - The fire department servicing the town will become township-operated when documents transferring property and a service agreement are signed in January.

The transfer of ownership was discussed during Tuesday night's meeting and allows the township to secure Build Indiana Funds, according to Cleveland Township Trustee Ron King. With the grant money the township will begin constructing a new fire station, eventually moving from the building on Front Street, which will revert to the town, to property along Ind. 205, south of the railroad tracks.

Fire runs within town limits account for 46 percent of the Cleveland Township - South Whitley Fire Department's calls.

The town budgets about $13,000 to support the department, which is applied toward equipment and services.

Actual costs are closer to $55,000, which would include insurance policy payments.

Shoring up the bank on the Eel River will begin Oct. 30 and end Nov. 3, according to utilities manager Dennis Eberhard. He said the Watershed Alliance group organizing the reconstruction has more than $30,000 in contractor's time and materials.

The board approved purchase of 330 tons of topsoil and 180 tons of limestone at a cost of $6,000.

Volunteers are still needed for the project.

In other business the board:

• Opened sealed bids for the town's 1993 Chevy patrol car. Bay Ridge Motors, of Brooklyn, N.Y., submitted the winning bid for $1,488. Two other bids, from Grace Auto, Morrisville, Pa., $359, and Mitch Lehman, Lafayette, $751.99, also were reviewed.

• Discussed selling other items of equipment such as the old street sweeper and road grader.

• Set Halloween hours for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

South Whitley Town Council members are Tony Starkey, Judy Earnhart and Tom Rudd. The board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the town hall at 7:30 p.m. Rudd was absent Tuesday. [[In-content Ad]]