SILVER LAKE – During the Silver Lake Town Council meeting Tuesday, a public hearing was held to discuss vacating a street. Michael S. Doub, Lana L. Hunter, Mitchell A. Scott and Jennifer L. Jones petitioned to close an undeveloped section of Buckeye Street, and a public hearing was called to discuss vacating the street. The desire was to have the town vacate the street and divide the land between the properties of 504 S. Jefferson St and 502 S. Jefferson St. After opening the floor to comments from the public, the board discussed their own concerns. “Once you close a street, you cannot open it again. I don’t see how closing a street is going to alleviate issues you’ve had in the past,” Board President Linda Baker said. Chad Miner and Linda Baker voted to keep the street, while Gale Owens voted in favor of vacating the street. “We won’t be closing the street at this time,” Baker said. The board did agree to discuss the possibility of allowing a fence to be constructed between the properties, under the condition that the fence could be taken down if need be. In other business: – The board discussed the need to finish renovating the town hall. “We have remodeled part of the office,” Baker said, “If you’ve walked in there to pay a bill you’ve seen the peeling wallpaper and the dirty floors.” Clerk-Treasurer Angie Glass had been requested to get quotes for the project. The quotes were read at the meeting, and the board approved Rich VanOsdol to do the job for $3,129. Some of the services VanOsdol will provide include peeling the current wallpaper, patching holes, painting, adding wainscoting, adding a new light in the bathroom and replacing the floor in the entry, hall, bathroom and kitchen. The price quoted for the project includes all materials and labor. This price also includes ceramic tile for the floors. Glass pointed out that she had originally only asked for the price of laminate flooring, but VanOsdol suggested that the laminate would not hold up to the traffic the office typically receives. The board agreed that the ceramic tile would hold up to the heavy foot traffic as well as against salt and snow carried in during the winter. – The cost of painting the water tower may be significantly less than originally planned. The cost was expected to be in the range of $50,000. Street Superintendent Jasun Blocher received one quote for around $17,000. Blocher suggested that some of the money that had originally been earmarked for the water tower should be used for new water meters. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of times meters have had to be re-read, which has caused several additional hours of work. Blocher said he will get two more quotes for the project. The board will wait to discuss options for additional funds after they get a better idea of how much they have to spend on the water tower. – The mosquito sprayer is in disrepair. The sprayer was dying at the end of last season, and although the nozzle still works, parts are no longer available when it does break down. The sprayer is between 15 and 20 years old. The sprayer requires a new motor. Blocher said he did not know what the cost would be to repair the current motor. It has been suggested that the town buy a new sprayer, which would cost approximately $8,300. “As it stands, we can’t spray. We don’t have a machine until we decide what to do,” Blocher said. He will get a quote for the cost of repairing the current motor and the board will discuss this issue at next month's meeting. – The town intends to sell an Exmark lawn mower. The town will advertise the sale in the newspaper and will take bids at the June meeting of the town council. – Problems with the water pump pressure that many residents experienced over the weekend have been remedied, according to Blocher. – Glass will attend clerk-treasurer school in Indianapolis May 25-26. She will also attend the State Board of Accounts school June 6-9 in Merrillville. Glass also reported the town now has the ability to take credit card and debit card payments in the office. Once the website is updated, customers will be able to pay online. – Norm Perry and Linda Hamilton each reported water leaks at their residences. Each of their bills will be adjusted back to reflect the average number of gallons each uses per month. – A hog roast will be held at the new Silver Lake Fire Department Saturday beginning at noon. Side dishes will be served as well. Multiple bands and children’s games will be part of the event. Anyone who would like to participate in the motorcycle ride prior to the hog roast should arrive between 9 and 10 a.m. Parking will be available at Wabash Valley, across the street from the fire department. The hog roast is being held to benefit Brad Hemmer, a local firefighter who is battling cancer. The next meeting of the Silver Lake Town Council will be June 14 at 7 p.m.
