Webster Residents Revved Up Over Noise Problem
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - Although the neighbors find the sound of a revved-up race car noxious and offensive, and subdivision covenants say they shouldn't have to suffer that, Albert Eckert Drive residents may have to file a lawsuit to stop the activity at the Frank Schaefer residence, North Center Street.
Don and Dawn Meyer appeared at the North Webster Town Council meeting Wednesday for the second month in a row requesting the Schaefers' racing-related activities be suspended.
They were advised by town council members that clerk-treasurer Peg Lawrance, who was absent, had contacted county plan director Dan Richard regarding the situation. As of Friday no communication from Richard had been received nor had any progress on a noise ordinance been presented by town attorney Mike Armey.
The Meyers presented a subdivision covenant indicating they were to be free from noxious and offensive acts. Town councilman Jeff Morgan said it may depend upon interpretation. "While you find it offensive, the Schaefers may not," he said.
Council members Kay Andrews and Ken Wagoner advised the Meyers to seek the advice of an attorney in the matter, joining with other neighbors.
Another Eckert subdivision resident, J.B. Routh, said there is another problem in the neighborhood and he had discussed it with Lawrance, too. Across the street is a parked tractor trailer that hasn't been moved for three years.
Acting town marshal Greg Church said he would look into the matter and could possibly begin abandoned vehicle procedures. He advised Routh this will take time, though.
Jay Clutter asked why the town's claims, specifically payroll amounts, weren't published in the newspaper, in the same manner as the county.
Andrews said towns aren't required to publish line item claims but they are always available for public inspection. She presented a statement for the current month for Clutter to review.
The board announced bids will be opened for the park fishing pier project Dec. 12 during the regular meeting.
Short Street residents asked that the end of the street, which leads to the lake, be restored so boats could be launched from the shore. One resident "fixed" the area by putting in rocks, making it impossible to launch a boat from that point.
The board directed public works superintendent Marshall Minnick to restore the area in the spring. Minnick said he was sure he would have plenty of good supervision on the project.
The board passed ordinance 2001-7 providing salary bonuses for seven town employees. Because of an open position, they have assumed extra duties. The salary adjustments are: Marshall Minnick, $2,500, for a total salary of $43,800; Paul Ernst, $2,200, for $26,267; Kent Renner, $2,200 for $25,980; Chet Los, $2,200 for $28,200; Allen Bagot, $2,200 for $26,267; Christin France, $500 for $24,500 and Greg Church, $1,500 for $36,500.
The board again heard that citizens don't expect to pay anything for the soon-to-be-vacated North Webster Elementary School. The Wawasee School Corp. board of trustees has not presented a price for the building and grounds, although they have been repeatedly asked and met in executive session earlier this week to discuss property matters.
The town intends to turn the facility into a community building with room for town offices as well as Lakeland Youth Center activities and those of the Kosciusko Community YMCA. The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Library also plans to move into the facility.
Jay Clutter said the school corporation had a quarter of a million dollars to demolish the building and that could be turned back over to the taxpayers, too.
The school corporation announced its intention to close the North Webster facility last year and has since built a new elementary school on CR 750E. The new school and its property will be annexed by the town. The current elementary will be vacated at the end of December.
In other business, the board:
• Heard The Tippecanoe Lake Conservation Association has received another grant to study the storm drain system.
• Approved zoning the property of Dave and Leslie Oaks, Washington Street, from residential to commercial to accomodate an expansion of Dave's Electrical, Heating & Cooling Inc. The property is behind the Oaks house.
• Heard from Minnick that Effie Mae Drive may be closed Friday or next week for sanitary sewer installation.
Town council members are Kay Andrews, Jeff Morgan and Ken Wagoner. The next meeting is Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The year-end meeting will be Dec. 27 at noon. [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH WEBSTER - Although the neighbors find the sound of a revved-up race car noxious and offensive, and subdivision covenants say they shouldn't have to suffer that, Albert Eckert Drive residents may have to file a lawsuit to stop the activity at the Frank Schaefer residence, North Center Street.
Don and Dawn Meyer appeared at the North Webster Town Council meeting Wednesday for the second month in a row requesting the Schaefers' racing-related activities be suspended.
They were advised by town council members that clerk-treasurer Peg Lawrance, who was absent, had contacted county plan director Dan Richard regarding the situation. As of Friday no communication from Richard had been received nor had any progress on a noise ordinance been presented by town attorney Mike Armey.
The Meyers presented a subdivision covenant indicating they were to be free from noxious and offensive acts. Town councilman Jeff Morgan said it may depend upon interpretation. "While you find it offensive, the Schaefers may not," he said.
Council members Kay Andrews and Ken Wagoner advised the Meyers to seek the advice of an attorney in the matter, joining with other neighbors.
Another Eckert subdivision resident, J.B. Routh, said there is another problem in the neighborhood and he had discussed it with Lawrance, too. Across the street is a parked tractor trailer that hasn't been moved for three years.
Acting town marshal Greg Church said he would look into the matter and could possibly begin abandoned vehicle procedures. He advised Routh this will take time, though.
Jay Clutter asked why the town's claims, specifically payroll amounts, weren't published in the newspaper, in the same manner as the county.
Andrews said towns aren't required to publish line item claims but they are always available for public inspection. She presented a statement for the current month for Clutter to review.
The board announced bids will be opened for the park fishing pier project Dec. 12 during the regular meeting.
Short Street residents asked that the end of the street, which leads to the lake, be restored so boats could be launched from the shore. One resident "fixed" the area by putting in rocks, making it impossible to launch a boat from that point.
The board directed public works superintendent Marshall Minnick to restore the area in the spring. Minnick said he was sure he would have plenty of good supervision on the project.
The board passed ordinance 2001-7 providing salary bonuses for seven town employees. Because of an open position, they have assumed extra duties. The salary adjustments are: Marshall Minnick, $2,500, for a total salary of $43,800; Paul Ernst, $2,200, for $26,267; Kent Renner, $2,200 for $25,980; Chet Los, $2,200 for $28,200; Allen Bagot, $2,200 for $26,267; Christin France, $500 for $24,500 and Greg Church, $1,500 for $36,500.
The board again heard that citizens don't expect to pay anything for the soon-to-be-vacated North Webster Elementary School. The Wawasee School Corp. board of trustees has not presented a price for the building and grounds, although they have been repeatedly asked and met in executive session earlier this week to discuss property matters.
The town intends to turn the facility into a community building with room for town offices as well as Lakeland Youth Center activities and those of the Kosciusko Community YMCA. The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Library also plans to move into the facility.
Jay Clutter said the school corporation had a quarter of a million dollars to demolish the building and that could be turned back over to the taxpayers, too.
The school corporation announced its intention to close the North Webster facility last year and has since built a new elementary school on CR 750E. The new school and its property will be annexed by the town. The current elementary will be vacated at the end of December.
In other business, the board:
• Heard The Tippecanoe Lake Conservation Association has received another grant to study the storm drain system.
• Approved zoning the property of Dave and Leslie Oaks, Washington Street, from residential to commercial to accomodate an expansion of Dave's Electrical, Heating & Cooling Inc. The property is behind the Oaks house.
• Heard from Minnick that Effie Mae Drive may be closed Friday or next week for sanitary sewer installation.
Town council members are Kay Andrews, Jeff Morgan and Ken Wagoner. The next meeting is Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The year-end meeting will be Dec. 27 at noon. [[In-content Ad]]