NORTH WEBSTER - The post office project is "dead in the water."

Town Council President Jon Sroufe told council members Tuesday evening the project has been stalled by federal bureaucracy.

"The project moved along very well for awhile," Sroufe said. But for various reasons, from funding problems to Hurricane Katrina to a change in "real estate specialists" - the project now is in limbo.

Sroufe said three weeks ago, a federal "utilization specialist" came to North Webster to determine ways to "buy two to four years" in delays for the project. Options included placing mobile offices behind the existing post office or establishing a retail outlet somewhere in town.

Sroufe spoke with a representative from U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh's office Wednesday who expressed dismay that the project was stalled.

Sroufe suggested North Webster residents write letters to Bayh and Congressman Mark Souder and urge them to reprioritize the project. (Bayh's and Souder's legislative addresses appear on page 4A of today's edition.)

On a 2-0 vote, the council agreed to reduce sewer rates on seven of nine taps at Fisherman's Cove.

Cove owner Chuck Lawrance argued his facility should get the same consideration as Dixie Haven Motel.

Dixie Haven's rates were cut in half after the council moved it from a "residential" to a "motel" sewer classification.

There was some question about the Cove's classification because the units are more like cottages than motel rooms.

"The issue is about accommodations," Lawrance said. "Whatever you call it, hotel units, motel units, cottage units, whatever you want to call it, we provide accommodations. Cottages are not residence."

He added, "Dixie Haven went to motel status from residences. If they get it, why don't we? We're all in the same business."

Council member Travis Marsh asked Lawrance if he paid innkeeper's taxes.

"We pay innkeeper's taxes like everybody else in the business," Lawrance said.

"I don't see the difference. We pay the innkeeper's tax. We provide accommodations. We're not residential," he said.

Marsh moved to reclassify 7 of 9 taps at Fisherman's Cove from the residential to the motel sewer rate.

Council member Jane Shepherd abstained from voting, noting, "I heard around town that I was 'out to get' the Lawrances. I don't want to get caught in the middle."

Lawrance asked who was saying that.

"It was you, Chuck," Shepherd said.

"I don't recall ever saying anything like that," Lawrance said.

Sroufe seconded the motion and it passed on a 2-0 vote.

Marsh then made a second motion to move the cottages at The Lodge motel into the motel classification for sewer rates.

The Lodge is owned and operated by Sroufe. There are xxx motel rooms and xxx cottages at The Lodge. The cottages previously were under the residential rate.

Shepherd seconded the motion, Sroufe abstained and it passed 2-0.

Sroufe said he received a letter from Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson. The letter contained a bill for $20,000 for relocation of a sewer line under the South Street Bridge.

Sroufe said it was the first time anyone had contacted the town regarding any bridge costs.

"We were consistently told there would be no cost to the town with regard to this project," Sroufe said.

"I see two problems with this. One, we have no money allocated for the expense. Two, we were never allowed to seek bids or be involved. We were just handed a bill," he said.

The work was done by Good Excavating and Hauling, as contracted by the county.

Town attorney Jack Birch said, "We didn't contract for it and didn't assume responsibility for it."

He said until someone can show some sort of obligation the town has, he wouldn't advise paying the bill.

The work was necessary because the new bridge had no support to accommodate a sewer line, but it could have.

"We never had a choice in the design. We never had a choice in the costs. If another entity decides to move the line, they should bear the costs," Sroufe said.

Sroufe said he would call Jackson and tell him the council doesn't think the town is obligated.

The council also:

• Heard from Utilities Superintendent Denny Reafsnyder that sidewalk improvement and paving packages will be ready for bidding in about two weeks.

He looked at approximately 30 sections of sidewalks and 15 streets and alleys around town.

Scheduling for the sidewalk work - which would take three months to complete - would have to be worked out with merchants to avoid business disruptions, Reafsnyder said.

• Approved a request from Town Marshal Greg Church for 262 hours of overtime for the three town police officers. The overtime was in line with previous years.

• Heard from Church that town police worked 703.25 officer hours, drove 2,423 miles and burned 204.9 gallons of fuel during January.

Church also noted there have been incidents of telephone scams reported by residents.

He said no one should give any banking, credit card or social security information over the phone.

"No reputable company will ask for that type of information over the phone," Church said.

Residents should call police if they are contacted in this manner, he said.

The next council meeting is 6 p.m. March 14 in the North Webster Community Building. Clerk treasurer is Betsy Luce. [[In-content Ad]]