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NORTH WEBSTER – Sidewalk work in North Webster will begin one year earlier than expected.
That was the good news the North Webster Town Council heard at its brief 15-minute meeting Tuesday night.
A representative from USI Consultants attended the meeting and requested a permit to do sidewalk work near North Webster Cemetery. The permit costs $2,300 and is required when doing work so close to a cemetery. The board approved the permit cost for the cemetery development plan for INDOT.
Mitch Hansel, of USI Consultants, said work will begin sometime in 2028, one year earlier than anticipated. Preliminary work will be done this fall and sometime next year.
The new sidewalk will be installed along the east side of Ind. 13, from north of town to the southern town limits. Brooks Construction will begin paving sometime after Memorial Day, possibly in June, and finish before Dixie Day July 25.
A request to pave an alley behind the fire department was discussed. The cost is $9,274. However, the matter was tabled because the council wants to speak with the fire chief first to see whether the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory can help fund the work, as an alley is not covered by a grant awarded to the town.
Utilities Manager Mike Noe noted he needs a new pump installed for Lift Station A at the wastewater plant. The board approved his request.
He said he is busy cleaning storm drains so they do not become clogged with debris. He said once street paving is completed, it will help significantly. Noe said drain screens also need to be installed, a process currently underway. Two council members said they have received complaints about drainage issues.
Noe said he is doing his best, but “there is only so much you can do.”
The police report was given by Greg Church, town marshal. There were 768 officer hours in April, 4,071 miles driven and 317.37 gallons of fuel used. There were 250 calls for service, including 13 battery, fight or domestic-related calls. There were three criminal mischief calls, six theft or fraud cases, one drug-related call, three alcohol-related calls, 24 traffic-related calls, 15 accidents or vehicles in a ditch, 27 citizen assists or lockouts, and 14 agency assists for fire or EMS.
Church also requested West Washington Street be closed for two events: the Mermaid Festival, June 17-20, and Dixie Day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25. The Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club requested the temporary closures.
In park news, the bathrooms are open and buoys are in the water at the beach. A new picnic table and additional, new buoys are needed. Quotes will be obtained for the work and the picnic table.
The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 16 at the community center.
