Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - "It's the same old story," said David Abbott about his huge water bill. "You're saying I used it, I'm saying I didn't. You say there are leaks and there are none."
Abbott was back before the town council Tuesday night, an appearance he has repeated many times over the last few months.
This time he presented the largest water usage reading so far, one showing a use of 21,000 gallons, at his business at 105 Line St. Abbott's establishment has had three water meters installed since the town water main project last fall. A prior reading showed more than 3,000 gallons usage.
The readings have dramatically fluctuated since that time. A "running" toilet was found to be part of the problem but still did not account for the amount of water supposedly used recently.
Abbott had the plumbing inspected for leaks and none were found. "Foolproof" water meters were installed.
Board member Gale Owens said he called the meter manufacturer and they said there was no way the numbers could be changed.
"The meters work or they quit," Owens said.
After much discussion about the "astronomical" $125 water bill ($192 total for water and sewer), Abbott and the board agreed to have the current meter tested for accuracy.
David Jayne of Silver Lake reported to the board that town employee Paul Mullins had driven the town pickup truck to the Time Out Inn, Warsaw. Jayne said he was visiting the establishment too and saw Mullins inside with an alcoholic beverage.
Jayne said he arrived at the bar Friday night at 8 p.m. and that Mullins didn't leave until about 8:30 p.m.
The board and town superintendent Phil Shalley said they were aware of the accusation and that Mullins said he did not drive the truck to the bar.
"How's that?" Jayne asked. "I haven't told anyone I saw him until this meeting. I parked so close to the truck when I got there he would have had to squeeze in like a toothpick."
Jayne said Mullins had no business taking the town truck up there and he wanted to sign a formal complaint about the incident.
Town marshal Craig Hollopeter said he would help Jayne with the complaint.
Because of recent vandalism to town property, Mullins has been given permission to park the truck at his home after work, a deal that would end when school starts.
Bids from Double Diamond to purchase a town-owned dump truck in the amount of $7,000 and one from Larry Booth for a pickup for $1,751 were approved.
The board heard that both fire trucks and the pumper can respond to scenes outside town, according to an insurance company representative.
Tires are still being accepted - free of charge to residents - for recycling. Anyone with tires to get rid of should call town hall.
In other business the council:
• Heard the three 3,000-gallon underground tanks at the former Marathon Station will be pulled Aug. 16.
• Set trash cleanup around Silver Lake for Aug. 19.
• Heard Shalley's report on a possible conversion from a potentially hazardous chlorine filtering system at the water plant to a system that breaks down into salt and chloride. Shalley said the system costs $19,000 and there is only one other like it in Indiana - in New Carlisle - and is being installed in western states.
• Approved vacations for Shalley and clerk Teresa Howell.
• Agreed to start enforcing the junk car ordinance.
• Heard from council member Brenda Wadkins, who said Ron Greer called the clerk's office regarding repairs to his lawn mower. He noticed the lid was loose on the meter pit in his yard. Greer advised Shalley the lid was loose and Shalley said it would be repaired soon. In the meantime Greer's wife, although she knew about the problem, drove over the lid with a riding lawn mower causing about $5,000 damage. Greer asked at the clerk's office if the town would pay for the repairs. The council declined to pay for the damage because Greer knew about the problem and had warned his spouse about the danger.
• Approved the construction permit submitted by Lawrence McAfoose.
• Set pre-adoption budget reading for Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. and the final reading prior to the regular meeting Sept. 12 at 6:45 p.m.
Town council members are President Donna McCune, Gail Owens and Brenda Wadkins.
