SILVER LAKE – At Wednesday night's meeting, the Silver Lake Town Council formally accepted the land donation agreement for the 10-acre property at 201 S. High St. from Rick Kerlin.
This land will be the site of a future community center.
Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley and council members Jean Weller, Nichole Taylor and Hugh Murfin thanked Kerlin for the donation. The town is now looking for grant funding to build the center.
Council heard from local property owners who were issued an unsafe building notice and an order to improve the property within 60 days. One of the homeowners, Joseph Fugate, asked for an extension to allow more time to hire a contractor and complete the necessary work on the property.
Council voted to amend the order and granted Fugate a 120-day extension, asking that he keep Conley and Town Marshal Jason McGlennen updated on property repairs, and attend the July council meeting should he require another extension.
Council also heard from Steven Shankster, of Shankster Bros., who is purchasing a residence and vacant lots on Buckeye and Washington streets. Shankster asked the council about three items: vacating alleys across the empty lots so a tile storage building can be erected there, contacting the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) ahead of making street improvements and changes, and acquiring a permit to put in a wheelchair-accessible ramp along the south side of the residence, which will be converted to Shankster Bros.'s office.
Murfin agreed to sign any paperwork Shankster needs to get the necessary permit. Conley has reached out to INDOT regarding the property but can work with Shankster to get confirmation.
In old business, council approved that a maximum of 10 hours of overtime be allowed per two-week pay period, with any hours exceeding this overtime allowance considered comp tim. A town employee seeking payment for comp time must request it from the council at a public meeting.
In new business, council voted to allow Conley to purchase new utility billing software, not to exceed $2,500, that will allow an email option for local residents' utility bills. Conley cited issues with mail services, including residents receiving bills after they are due, as reason for this change.
Weller told Conley she has seen and heard complaints about residents' trash not being picked up, including on Facebook. Conley said that residents should contact the clerk's office if they are having issues with trash pickup, and that she will look into the issue.
In his report, McGlennen said he has chosen one out of five applicants for the deputy marshal position for the council to interview. Council discussed a starting wage for the new hire and agreed on $22.50 per hour. Council's interview with the candidate was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 17.
Spring cleanup will be Saturday, May 17; residents should leave items out Friday evening as pickup will start at 7 a.m. Saturday.
There was a town docket of $122,925.14.
Council will next meet at 7 p.m. April 9.