Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - South Mary Lafern Street residents will soon get something that they have never had and the change will make their street like all the others in town.
Mary Lafern is the only dirt street in town and recent development has placed four new houses along it.
Public works Superintendent Marshall Minnick said that the 482-foot-long street will be paved 16 feet wide. Of the two estimates received for the work, the North Webster Town Council voted Wednesday to award the job to Phend & Brown for $8,425. The other bid, from Niblock Excavating, was for $8,938.51.
In other business, the council tabled any decision on placing a cold-mix curb at the Hawkins property, where water tends to run into the garage and home during rainfalls.
The proposed work isn't guaranteed to solve the problem, Minnick said, and would cost $500 to $600. Council members were concerned with spending that amount of money without knowing if the problem would be alleviated.
"I would rather look at something more permanent and see if (the homeowner) is willing to help pay for it," said councilman Ken Wagner.
The council also:
• Agreed that the police department can close Ind. 13 and two side streets for a parade Oct. 28 during Red Ribbon Week. The student body - comprising about 600 children - will have a short walking parade in support of drug awareness. The 1 p.m. parade will take the students from the school, south on Ind. 13 to Huntington Street, then to East Street and back to the school. The road closure is estimated to be in place for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Decided to pay half of the retainage due Phend & Brown and hold the other half until a problem with erosion is solved at the senior citizen housing site. A meeting is expected with grant administrator Bob Murphy, Department of Natural Resources officials, town officials and representatives of the Housing Assistance office.
• Voted to again donate $450 to Kosciusko Development Inc. The annual request was made by KDI for the same amount given by the town last year.
The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the town hall.
