Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - Changes in the proposed water project were announced Tuesday at Silver Lake, where the council also voted to increase the water rates by 50 percent.
The plan being considered was revamped, with the phases changed somewhat and the council opting only to commit to the new Phase I (which includes a portion of Phase III) at this time. It now calls for 12 fire hydrants to be replaced and 11 repaired; nine new valves; enlarging the backwash lagoon; changing the piping in the chlorination room; replacing the screen for well No. 2; replacing all 2-inch and underlines with 6-inch lines; and new valve and fire hydrant assemblies. This portion of the project carries a price tag of $524,082.
Other project costs included come in the form of design engineering, construction costs, and paying legal and accounting fees and for a grant administrator.
The cost for the total project is more than $1.8 million and the remaining phases will take place in the future - possibly as long as 20 years from now. The town plans to seek grant funding in the portion with which it is moving forward.
In a related matter, the council voted to increase the water rate by 50 percent. Currently, water costs $7.65 (plus tax for a total of $8.03) per 2,000 gallons. The increase would add another $4 per 2,000 gallons to water bills.
The first reading of the ordinance for this increase will be at 5 p.m. Jan. 20 in the town hall.
And what goes up can come down - another ordinance will bring a decrease in the cost of sewer fees. Although a user and debt service charge will be raised from $2.20 to $2.40 per month, the overall costs will be lower.
Base rates for metered customers will drop from $21.90 per month to $16.90, and unmetered residential users will decrease from $32.90 to $28.90 monthly.
The first reading of this ordinance will take place at the same meeting as the water rate ordinance. A public hearing for both ordinances will be scheduled at a later date.
In other business, the council:
4 Amended the personnel policy regarding vacation time. Full-time employees are now entitled to 10 days of vacation after one year to four years; 15 days from 5 to 11 years; 20 days from 12 to 19 years; and 25 days for 20 years and more.
4 Scheduled all regular meetings this year for 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the town hall.
4 Signed an agreement with South Central Emergency Medical Service and made a $2,000 donation to the organization.
4 Reviewed the fire contract between Lake Township and the town. No changes were made in the annual contract.
