SILVER LAKE – The Silver Lake Town Council Monday agreed to pay for an assessment of their roads to potentially get a Community Crossings grant.

Mitch Hansel, with Fleis & Vandenbrink, gave a presentation to the council explaining that towns with less than 10,000 people are eligible for a 75/25 matching grant to improve roadways by resurfacing, restructuring, drainage improvements and even maintenance. Hansel said Silver Lake is a town that meets those eligibility requirements but hasn’t applied before. An assessment, which costs $4,300 and is good for two years, is needed.

The council approved to pay for the assessment, and Hansel said his crews will be out surveying the streets this week.

The council also signed an agreement to lease Rochester Telephone Company (RTC) a parcel of land in Fairview Edition for RTC to use as a fiber optic cable data hut. RTC is installing fiber optic throughout the town and for leasing them the property for the data hut, RTC agreed to provide high-speed internet to the Silver Lake Town Hall and Fire Department.

The council also agreed to pay to clean up the “eyesore” property at 704 N. Pleasant St. Town Marshal Jason McGlennen said the property is condemned and he got a quote to get the outside cleaned up at $1,950, but said that cost could go up depending on what is found in the yard.

After consideration, the council agreed that going after the homeowner through the town’s Tax Refund Exchange and Compliance System – a program that allows the town to collect abandoned utility bills, unpaid town ordinance fines or sewer liens through the owner’s tax refund – the town would just foot the bill because they doubted they would ever see the money anyway.

“I think we just do it because it makes the town and the neighborhood look better,” Council President Chad Miner said. “I think it’s an investment into the town.”

Clerk-treasurer Tonya Conley said she’ll still put a lien on the property.

Also Monday, the council:

• Heard from Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation CEO Alan Tio about programs, loans and initiatives his office can provide. The town listened but did not agree to sign up for any programs.

• Reported the summer town clean-up for Silver Lake residents only is July 17-20. Dumpsters will be placed at the Town Hall, 604 N. Jefferson St., for unwanted items. Paints, oils, tires, large appliances, extra large furniture, TVs, computers, microwaves, lawn waste and anything containing freon is not allowed.

Conley said once the COVID-19 restrictions lift, the town hopes to have a door-to-door fall clean-up.

• Accepted a $500 donation from SLFD to pay for two teams to participate in the fire department’s golf outing fundraiser on June 28. Any teams interested in playing for free can contact the fire department.

• Heard a reminder from McGlennen that fireworks are allowed to be set off in town limits June 29 through July 9. He’s already received reports of fireworks being set off.

• Agreed to pay Graycraft Signs $6,050 to “rejuvenate” all of the Silver Lake town signs and the Memory Park sign. The other option was $14,000 to replace them all. The council went with the cheapest option after hearing the signs will “look brand new.”

• Heard from Fire Chief John Conley that his department had four runs and four medical assists in the past month. He also said SLFD will be hosting a mandatory fire class June 29 for two new fire firefighters, and that other area departments are planning on sending trainees to attend.

Conley also said his station is now equipped with the CPR AutoPulse machine that was received through a countywide K21 Health Foundation grant.

The next Silver Lake Town Council meeting is 7 p.m. July 8, with the location to be determined.