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NORTH WEBSTER – Who is responsible for allowing parking spaces to be reopened to the public in North Webster?
That was the question raised by a business owner at the North Webster Town Council meeting Tuesday night.
Jo Mishler, owner of Barefoot Cottage on Ind. 13, asked that three parking spaces in front of her business be reopened to the public. The spaces are across the street from the North Webster Fire Territory station, where fire trucks need room to maneuver when backing in and out onto Ind. 13.
The three spaces were closed to public parking in 2020.
This was not Mishler’s first request. She previously brought the matter to the town council and was told to contact Fire Chief Jeremy Likens.
“We haven’t heard back from him,” she said.
Councilman Dave Waliczek said the fire chief must agree to reopen the spaces before the council can approve the request. The Indiana Department of Transportation maintains the road, and its approval also is needed.
“We want them back,” Mishler said.
Speaking by phone, Mishler said she had attempted to contact Likens. She also has video showing fire trucks leaving the station without needing the spaces to maneuver efficiently.
Council members agreed the decision was not theirs alone. If Likens agrees to do so, the council will approve it. INDOT will only approve the matter if the council will support reopening the spaces.
“We will if (Likens) is OK with it. Then we will say yes,” Waliczek said.
Likens was out of town and unable to attend the meeting.
In other business:
• Utilities Superintendent Mike Noe reported only one clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant is working. The other needs to be rebuilt at an estimated cost of $15,000.
• Fall leaf pickup began this week, Noe said.
• Town Marshal Greg Church presented the North Webster Police Department’s September report. The department reported 696 officer hours, 3,312 miles driven and 271.93 gallons of fuel used.
Officers responded to 235 calls for service. The report included 12 battery, fight or domestic incidents; two criminal mischief cases; four theft or fraud cases; one drug-related incident; three alcohol-related incidents; 39 traffic-related incidents; seven accidents; 24 citizen assistance or lockout calls; and six agency assistance calls involving fire or EMS.
• The town’s park is closed for the season, and facilities have been winterized.
The council also:
• Approved closing the 100 block of West Washington Street Nov. 21 for the Christmas tree lighting, scheduled from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
• Signed a 2027 agreement with the county to administer the town’s election next year.
• Signed a 2027 Terminal Services Data Agreement with the county for the police department.
Upcoming meetings include a budget public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and budget adoption at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2. Both will be held at the Town Hall Annex.
The next regular town council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at North Webster Community Center which is earlier than usual.
