NORTH WEBSTER – The biggest topic of interest during Tuesday evening’s monthly meeting of the North Webster Town Council was what to do with the deteriorating deck behind Pizza King.
The deck, which extends 50 feet into Webster Lake and is 40-feet wide, is town property that is used by many people to dock their boats, fish in the lake or enjoy a meal. However, it has fallen into such disrepair that decisions must be made sooner, rather than later, on what to do with the wooden structure.
The issue was initially brought up during the parks report delivered by Leann Hobbs. She recommended the town restrict access to the deck because of potential liability issues. It was estimated that the current structure has been there since the 1980s.
During the ensuing discussion, it was noted that the length of any replacement needed to remain its current 50-feet since the water level is so shallow, any shorter structure would not be accessible by boats. Any permanent structure, however, would likely require approval by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which could be a lengthy process.
Town attorney Jack Birch pointed out that one way to skirt the DNR requirement would be to replace it with a removable pier, which would make it a temporary structure rather than permanent. The suggestion, however, was met with skepticism by council members who wondered if that would be sufficient for the many uses the current one employs.
“This isn’t a $10,000 project,” said council member Dave Waliczek, suggesting it might stretch into a six-figure project. “This is something that can’t be a flimsy. It’s got to be solid. What should really be done is telephone poles being driven down so it set in something really secure.”
“Every bit of that (current deck) is utilized,” said council member Lisa Strombeck.
“It’s good for the town that it’s there,” said council President Dan Thystrup.
No decision was made on the next steps the town should take on the issue.
“It’s going to take some planning,” said Waliczek. “This isn’t a hurry-up and do. This isn’t something we want to do every five years. We want this to last for another 40 years again.
“I would welcome any suggestions just to get moving in the right direction,” said Hobbs.
In other business:
• Inframark Utilities Manager Mike Noe noted that the paving work in the town should be done by the first of next week.
• Noe said he is applying for the renewal of permits for the town’s wastewater.
• Trick-or-treating will take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.
• The town plans to close the restrooms and other facilities at the town park on Oct. 15.
• A bid for $8,500 to purchase a wood chipper owned by the town was accepted.
During the open floor portion of the meeting, a suggestion was made to keep the town’s public trash cans out until later in the year. This year, they were removed shortly after Labor Day. The council agreed that starting next year, the trash cans would remain until after the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
The council agreed to hold a special session at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3, in the town annex building to hear from a Borden Waste-Away representative regarding the expiring sanitation contract. During a recent budget meeting, Town Clerk Leigh Anne Jessop noted that additional fees being charged by the company were far exceeding the contract and budgeted amount. The meeting will also introduce the 2024 budget proposal.
The next regular meeting of the council will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the North Webster Community Center.