Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - At Wednesday night's meeting, the Silver Lake Town Council approved supporting the Kosciusko Community Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program and donated $500 toward the group's efforts to control cat overpopulation.
Cindy Lursen, vice president of Kosciusko TNR, spoke to the council on the community's support of the program. In a Facebook fundraiser, the group has already raised $1,000 from Silver Lake residents to pay for spaying and neutering of the animals trapped in the town's colonies.
Colonies, the name for groups of stray cats, grow quickly as cats can have litters every few months and kittens are often dumped. TNR will be in Silver Lake for the rest of September and into October if needed to trap the animals and return them once they have been neutered or spayed, tagged and given a rabies vaccine.
Ahead of the regular meeting, the council held a public hearing for a United States Department of Agriculture grant. The town is applying to get 55% of the costs covered for a replacement Toolcat.
The old Toolcat will be traded in for $20,000, leaving a remaining cost of $75,000 for the new equipment. Utilities Supervisor Joey McNeal is also looking for quotes for a 20-foot trailer for the new Toolcat.
Council President Hugh Murfin provided an update on the community center. DLZ Engineering is working on project design.
In other business:
• The council amended an ordinance regarding town garage sales, which are to last no longer than 32 consecutive hours and must be cleaned up afterward.
• Fire Chief John Conley reported 10 runs since last month: one mutual aid assist, two alarms, two traffic accidents, three medical assists and two others.
• The town is flushing fire hydrants the week of Sept. 25.
• Trick or Treat hours were set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
The Council will next meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 11.
