NORTH WEBSTER - Clint Olson's request to add a car lot to his current property along Ind. 13 was carefully weighed Thursday by town council members Kay Andrews and Jeff Morgan.

Third council member Ken Wagner was absent from the meeting.

The board received a request for comment by the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission regarding Olson's request for a special exception to a commercially zoned property.

In addition to the furniture store, a coffee shop and construction company's display space occupy the property.

"It will be cluttered," Morgan said, a definition Andrews echoed. But neither of them wanted to discourage a new business in town.

"The Olsons take such good care of their property," Andrews said. "If someone starts a business in North Webster, we want them to stay in business."

The council will forward its concerns to the Area Plan Commission without making a specific recommendation.

In September, the council approved a sewage rate hike of $7.70 per month, from $25.50 to $33.20, as recommended by John Jullian of H.R. Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth.

The board also is considering a reclassification of the treatment plant, which would allow the facility to treat different types of waste.

Andrews said information will be gathered and passed on to the next council regarding reclassification.

Wells Fargo Bank was chosen as the "paying agent" to refinance the town's bonds, adding $300,000 in additional funds for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant at a cost of $6,800. Others submitting bids were National City Bank, $6,900, and Lake City Bank, $28,500.

Also approved were other bond-related charges of $16,000 to Baker and Daniels and $25,000 to Umbaugh and Associates for engagement of services and accounting services.

In answer to an inquiry about flashing lights along Ind. 13 at the community center, Dennis Reafsnyder, public works superintendent, said the Indiana Department of Transportation will install pedestrian signs and paint crosswalks on the street. He did not know when the work would be done by the state.

There are no plans to reactivate the flashing caution lights at the old elementary school's location.

Reafsnyder said the leaf vacuum and snow removal equipment is being prepared for the fall and winter season cleanups.

In other business, the council:

• Approved payments of $55,287 to Crosby Construction; $69,203 to MSKTD Architects; and $25,900 to R.P. Murphy and Associates for work done at the community center, as presented by Bob Murphy.

• Was introduced to new park board member Lydia Clark by park director Terry Pawlosky. Pawlosky said Deb Long also will serve the board. Another four-year park board seat is open.

Pawlosky said she will retire at the end of this year.

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

• Reviewed a call for transportation enhancement projects letter from INDOT. The board plans to apply for sidewalk replacement funds.

• Approved, by ordinance, a $3 fee for copies of police reports and photographs taken by police. A $36 fee will be charged for a videotape copy. The fees will go into the police department's continuing education fund.

• Approved a $73,312 bid by Phend & Brown to repave selected town streets next year. Phend and Brown was the only company to respond to a call for bids.

• Passed an ordinance to establish an emergency lake access area at the end of Washington Street.

• Approved a request by the North Webster Church of God to vacate the east-west alley west of the church building. [[In-content Ad]]