Silver Lake Misses Grant By A Phrase

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer-

SILVER LAKE - A federal grant application to expand Silver Lake's fire station from two bays to five bays was denied, clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell said Tuesday at the town council meeting.

Howell said the grant's wording was missing one phrase. Grant readers wanted the bank's assurance that it "would not hold a lien" against the property. Approval depended on the phrase's inclusion.

Robert Murphy, owner of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, a consulting firm who writes grants for towns, cities and counties, was seeking $450,000 in available federal funds and $200,000 in local matching money.

The missing phrase was not requested specifically to be in the grant application, Howell said.

"It's not something they usually ask for" in grant applications, Howell said.

She was sure the bank would include the phrase without a problem.

Murphy and the town council will discuss the next step in seeking the grant money July 9 before the 7 p.m. town council meeting. They plan to reapply in September.

Council president Brenda Wadkins said Murphy is still confident about approval of the next application.

In an unrelated matter, four residents from the recently annexed lake area raised questions about tax increases, trash pickup and easements to and docks on Silver Lake.

They were concerned about property tax increases with the new system of assessing taxes and the recently annexed lake area.

"We bought this house on a budget," homeowner Ron Leonard said. "We're on a set rate. ...If it bites me on the butt, I'm lost."

Howell said she was unsure about the tax rates. The figures will be clearer when the council formulates its 2003 budget, Howell said.

The residents also complained about abandoned houses and properties pulling down property values. Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter said they are working on contacting the property owners.

Frances Head, a lake area representative to the town council, answered the other questions.

Lake Area Association meets monthly to discuss similar concerns. The next meeting is 9 a.m. on the third Saturday in July at the Lions Building, 108 N. Harrison St.

In other business, the council:

• Approved contracts with the Silver Lake Fire Department.

• Approved contracts with the South Central Kosciusko County EMS Service for $2,000 annually.

• Announced a preliminary budget meeting June 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the town hall.

• Said the water plant filter is being built. Town Superintendent Phil Shalley said June 19 is a tentative date for installing the filter.

• Noted several spots in the sidewalks need to be replaced. They are getting quotes on the costs for the improvements.

Silver Lake Town Council members present were: president Brenda Wadkins, Gale Owens, and clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell. Phil Shalley is town superintendent. Council member Donna McCune was absent. [[In-content Ad]]

SILVER LAKE - A federal grant application to expand Silver Lake's fire station from two bays to five bays was denied, clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell said Tuesday at the town council meeting.

Howell said the grant's wording was missing one phrase. Grant readers wanted the bank's assurance that it "would not hold a lien" against the property. Approval depended on the phrase's inclusion.

Robert Murphy, owner of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, a consulting firm who writes grants for towns, cities and counties, was seeking $450,000 in available federal funds and $200,000 in local matching money.

The missing phrase was not requested specifically to be in the grant application, Howell said.

"It's not something they usually ask for" in grant applications, Howell said.

She was sure the bank would include the phrase without a problem.

Murphy and the town council will discuss the next step in seeking the grant money July 9 before the 7 p.m. town council meeting. They plan to reapply in September.

Council president Brenda Wadkins said Murphy is still confident about approval of the next application.

In an unrelated matter, four residents from the recently annexed lake area raised questions about tax increases, trash pickup and easements to and docks on Silver Lake.

They were concerned about property tax increases with the new system of assessing taxes and the recently annexed lake area.

"We bought this house on a budget," homeowner Ron Leonard said. "We're on a set rate. ...If it bites me on the butt, I'm lost."

Howell said she was unsure about the tax rates. The figures will be clearer when the council formulates its 2003 budget, Howell said.

The residents also complained about abandoned houses and properties pulling down property values. Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter said they are working on contacting the property owners.

Frances Head, a lake area representative to the town council, answered the other questions.

Lake Area Association meets monthly to discuss similar concerns. The next meeting is 9 a.m. on the third Saturday in July at the Lions Building, 108 N. Harrison St.

In other business, the council:

• Approved contracts with the Silver Lake Fire Department.

• Approved contracts with the South Central Kosciusko County EMS Service for $2,000 annually.

• Announced a preliminary budget meeting June 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the town hall.

• Said the water plant filter is being built. Town Superintendent Phil Shalley said June 19 is a tentative date for installing the filter.

• Noted several spots in the sidewalks need to be replaced. They are getting quotes on the costs for the improvements.

Silver Lake Town Council members present were: president Brenda Wadkins, Gale Owens, and clerk-treasurer Teresa Howell. Phil Shalley is town superintendent. Council member Donna McCune was absent. [[In-content Ad]]

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