Silver Lake Approves Loan To Build Fire Station
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SILVER LAKE - Silver Lake Fire Department stepped forward Tuesday in its proposed five-bay fire station, with the town council's unanimous approval of a $265,000 loan.
The council unanimously appointed Rob Clark as the department chief. Clark has been chief for three years and a Silver Lake firefighter for 11 years.
Silver Lake previously received a $450,000 grant to aid in building the fire station. Its location will be on Ind. 14E, Clark said.
"It's going to be awesome," Clark said.
The current station is two bays.
The loan will be paid back in five years at 4.25 percent interest.
"We have got hours to go yet," Clark said about the work to finish the facility.
In an unrelated matter, councilman Gale Owens said he wants to compact the 2003 budget by trimming part-time employee jobs.
That would cut the deputy clerk-treasurer position, which council president Brenda Wadkins holds.
Town superintendent assistant Josh Naibauer could cover for the clerk-treasurer if needed, Owens said. Naibauer knows computers and has worked for the town for a year, he said.
"If this is something to get me out of the office, you are doing (Teresa Howell) a great disservice," Wadkins said. She said the clerk-treasurer's workload is heavier than people realize.
"All I am looking at is the what-ifs," Owens said, adding that the idea was his own, not a conspiracy to oust Wadkins. He wants to avoid the "chaos" of changes following upcoming elections.
A new Silver Lake resident, Shirley Niblick, said she noticed how the council butts against each other.
The council is showing a rift, especially following a September public hearing to discuss councilwoman Donna McCune's resident status.
In another matter, the town council will begin seeking new town attorneys. The council members said they were not pleased with Michael W. Reed, of Reed and Earhart law firm, Warsaw.
"He's just not getting back to us," clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell said.
The council wanted an ordinance Tuesday to curb jake-brake use in slowing tractor-trailers within town limits. Reed had not presented the ordinance yet.
They tabled the issue until December.
Also, town superintendent Phil Shally said leaf pickup is behind. The department will be taking leaves today and Thursday. He said there is no specific date ending leaf pickup.
Silver Lake Town Council members present were: president Brenda Wadkins, Gale Owens, Donna McCune and clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell. Phil Shally is town superintendent. Craig Hollopeter is town marshal. [[In-content Ad]]
SILVER LAKE - Silver Lake Fire Department stepped forward Tuesday in its proposed five-bay fire station, with the town council's unanimous approval of a $265,000 loan.
The council unanimously appointed Rob Clark as the department chief. Clark has been chief for three years and a Silver Lake firefighter for 11 years.
Silver Lake previously received a $450,000 grant to aid in building the fire station. Its location will be on Ind. 14E, Clark said.
"It's going to be awesome," Clark said.
The current station is two bays.
The loan will be paid back in five years at 4.25 percent interest.
"We have got hours to go yet," Clark said about the work to finish the facility.
In an unrelated matter, councilman Gale Owens said he wants to compact the 2003 budget by trimming part-time employee jobs.
That would cut the deputy clerk-treasurer position, which council president Brenda Wadkins holds.
Town superintendent assistant Josh Naibauer could cover for the clerk-treasurer if needed, Owens said. Naibauer knows computers and has worked for the town for a year, he said.
"If this is something to get me out of the office, you are doing (Teresa Howell) a great disservice," Wadkins said. She said the clerk-treasurer's workload is heavier than people realize.
"All I am looking at is the what-ifs," Owens said, adding that the idea was his own, not a conspiracy to oust Wadkins. He wants to avoid the "chaos" of changes following upcoming elections.
A new Silver Lake resident, Shirley Niblick, said she noticed how the council butts against each other.
The council is showing a rift, especially following a September public hearing to discuss councilwoman Donna McCune's resident status.
In another matter, the town council will begin seeking new town attorneys. The council members said they were not pleased with Michael W. Reed, of Reed and Earhart law firm, Warsaw.
"He's just not getting back to us," clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell said.
The council wanted an ordinance Tuesday to curb jake-brake use in slowing tractor-trailers within town limits. Reed had not presented the ordinance yet.
They tabled the issue until December.
Also, town superintendent Phil Shally said leaf pickup is behind. The department will be taking leaves today and Thursday. He said there is no specific date ending leaf pickup.
Silver Lake Town Council members present were: president Brenda Wadkins, Gale Owens, Donna McCune and clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell. Phil Shally is town superintendent. Craig Hollopeter is town marshal. [[In-content Ad]]