SILVER LAKE - Beginning Jan. 1, residents of Silver Lake will have a new ambulance service.
Tuesday night at its regular meeting, the Silver Lake Town Council approved a motion to sign a contract with Life Med ambulance service.According to the contract, the town will pay Life Med $2,000 per year for the ambulance service. In return, the town will receive 24-hour ambulance coverage.
The town also will provide housing with sleeping, kitchen, dayroom and restroom facilities, storage for medical supplies and equipment, for the ambulance and two crew members in the Silver Lake Fire Department. The town will provide utilities (water, natural gas and electricity), Internet service and cable or satellite television service.
There will be a Life Med paramedic on site as much as possible, and the ambulance will be in Silver Lake at all times unless it is on a run.
In other business, the council:
n Commended the Silver Lake Police Department for their hard work on the investigation of the robbery of Lake City Bank in July.
"Hats off to the police department for catching the bank robber," said Council President Gale Owens.
n Heard concerns from a citizen regarding a mortar that is being set off in town. The council discussed creating an ordinance to regulate when fireworks can be set off. The ordinance would be in addition to the state law regulating the use of fireworks.
Town attorney Vern Landis will work on the ordinance and present it at the next meeting.
n Heard a complaint about parking near the public access. Currently there are people who are parking in the middle of the paved area, preventing others from parking there. The council will try to get lines painted on the area, which should have room for at least two spots, perhaps three.
n Announced that there will be no fall clean up this year. The town's finances are tight and funds were not available for the clean up day.
n Decided to wait to make a donation to the 9/11 Remembrance Memorial. Again, since the town's budget is tight, the funds currently are not available for a donation. However, the town will look into making the donation next year.
n Approved a motion to purchase software for the police department. Since the county is switching software, the Silver Lake Department must upgrade to be compatible with the new system. The cost will be $180 per year per car for the software license, and the county is asking each town to pay $100 per car for the upkeep of the system. If more towns sign up, that cost could be cheaper. Air cards for the computer system will cost $36 per month after the initial free three months.
n Heard that Jasun Blocher is working on getting quotes for street and sidewalk repair and tree trimming.
n Set Sept. 16 as the date for the budget meeting. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Silver Lake Town Hall.
