SILVER LAKE - At Wednesday night's meeting, the Silver Lake Town Council held a public hearing as the town begins its project to plan and construct a community center at the site of the demolished school building at 202 E. Sycamore St.
Shannon McLeod, of Priority Project Resources, provided updates to the council. The town is requesting $20,000 maximum from an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant to hire an architect.
McLeod asked that the council form a steering committee of at least three members, with one of those members a town council member. The committee will conduct surveys and determine what local residents want in a community center.
During the regular meeting, the council heard updates from Alan Tio, CEO of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO). Tio said KEDCO has relocated and continues to work with small businesses, hosts the Clearly Kosciusko podcast and holds Lunch and Learn events with liaisons from various agencies like OCRA.
In new business, the council approved a $250 Lion's Club donation for kids' backpacks for the upcoming school year.
The council approved a quote from Complete Fleet of $4,044.00 for tornado siren battery backups. Town marshal Jason McGlennen said it has been more than six years since the backups were last replaced.
Town resident Carolyn Montel asked the council about a possible recycling program for Silver Lake. Montel suggested working with Lake Township to share the costs for a recycling program. Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley said she would look into it.
In other business:
• Fire Chief John Conley reported 12 runs last month: three alarms, three assists to other departments and six medical assists.
• A budget meeting will be held at 4 p.m. July 26.
• The clerk's office is closed Friday. The office will reopen July 17.
The council will next meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 5.