SILVER LAKE - "Over the long run, it will save us money," said Silver Lake Town Council President Ronald Jones.
At its regular meeting Tuesday night, the Silver Lake Town Council approved a motion after a long discussion to purchase two new machines to test samples from the sewer system.
Council members questioned whether the $5,422.53 purchase was economical and if it would save money in the long run. The machine the town had been using to test the samples quit working and needed to be replaced.However, samples could be taken to a testing facility in Warsaw, but each time samples are tested there is a charge, depending on what tests need to be run.
Josh Naibauer, sewer superintendent, said the state soon will require the town to conduct more tests on the sewer samples, and the new machinery will have the capability to conduct all the tests.
"It sounds to me like this is an investment that will pay off over time," Jones said.
After the discussion, the council approved the motion with a 3-0 vote.
Later, the council members heard from Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter about the new tornado sirens that will be installed in April. Hollopeter said representatives from the siren company went through town Tuesday and helped pinpoint the best places for the sirens.
Hollopeter passed out a map showing where the sirens would be placed and what areas would be covered by the sirens.
The sirens, which are for outdoor warnings, will be installed sometime in April and have a one-mile radius. The sirens run on 220-volt power and will be placed on utility poles near existing transformers. The sirens, which will have battery backup for emergencies, will be 48 feet in the air and will have a 35-foot antenna.
The proposed locations for the sirens are behind the recycling bin behind the conservation building and on the west side of the cemetery. The cemetery board will need to approve the location of the siren at the cemetery.
Sirens will be linked to the Kosciusko County Dispatch Center, which can set them off when weather conditions warrant a warning. The sirens also may be turned on manually by the police department or fire officials if necessary.
Businesses also may install a transmitter box linked to the sirens inside their buildings for $500 to $600. The transmitter boxes will sound an alarm inside the business to alert workers of severe weather conditions.
In other business, the council:
n Heard a presentation from Eric Merley of Hall and Marose Insurance about incarcerated workers. Since the county does not have insurance on the incarcerated workers who were part of a countywide work program last year, individual towns are responsible for insurance for the workers. Since the inmates are not paid, they are not covered by worker's compensation. Most insurance companies will not extend special insurance for the inmates, and the cost would outweigh the benefits of having the workers. Therefore, the town will not participate in the program this year.
n Decided to leave a stop sign at the intersection of Sycamore and High streets. Nine residents asked about the sign wanted it to stay, six did not care and three wanted the sign removed. The sign will stay at its current location.
n Decided to make School Avenue a two-way street. At one time, the street was changed to a one-way, but signs were taken down at some point and not put back up. The ordinance making the street one-way will be amended to make it a two-way street.
n Approved sewer adjustments for Wes Wienhorst, Joanna Lemler, Kathy Ragan, Margaret Hisle and Henry Arnett (Water of Life Church). Water adjustments were approved for Wienhorst and Lemler as well.
n Heard a request from Hollopeter to update the town's ordinance about keeping dogs on a restraint. In the past year, the number of dog bites reported in the town have increased significantly, and Hollopeter wants to update the ordinance to make it more clear. The current ordinance is vague, saying only that town residents are not allowed to keep a vicious animal.
n Heard that Fire Chief Jasun Blocher is working on a grant request for the K21 Foundation to buy new SCBA breathing apparatus for the fire department. Requirements for the air bottle systems are changing and the fire department will need to upgrade its equipment.
Silver Lake Town Council members are Jones, Stanley Williams and Gary Kneller. Town clerk is Angie Glass.
The council's next meeting is April 10 at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
