Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY - The proposed annexation of more than 95.7 acres around the perimeter of town was discussed Tuesday at the town council meeting.
Two parcels, one owned by John A. Snepp, 9.889 acres, and another owned by John Jr. and Jennifer Snepp of 3 acres, would increase the town's size to the northwest.
The other lands to be annexed are contiguous to the southern boundary of town and include: 2.25 acres owned by Jewel Crume; 19.335 acres owned by the town of South Whitley; .088 acres owned by Colby and Dorothy Bayman; .117 acres owned by NIPSCO; .854 acres owned by James and Lorene Jenkins; 2.75 acres owned by Tracy and Rose Green; .99 acres owned by Charles and Lulubelle Harvey; and a total of 56.49 acres owned by Phillip and Julia Schultz.
Town counsel Greg Hockemeyer presented a map to board members Tony Starkey, Judy Earnhart and Tom Rudd outlining the proposed annexation and said it would be forwarded to Steve Carter of Umbaugh and Associates.
The 2000 Census is set to begin April 1, according to town clerk Mitch Winger. He said questionnaires would be sent to all addresses and people who don't respond will be visited.
The board approved purchasing 189 square yards of carpeting for the town hall at just under $16 per yard. The carpeting will be installed after the walls in the east room are painted. CEDIT monies will pay for the improvements. New curtains will also be chosen for the project.
The board discussed construction of a building to house the Emergency Management Services ambulance, equipment and office on a temporary basis. The building would hold town vehicles and equipment and be the location of utility offices.
Cleveland Township Trustee Ron King attended the meeting and said that according to State Representative Harold "Potch" Wheeler, funds for a fire station and EMS facility should be available in the fall and construction could begin in 2001.
The board agreed to invite Moake and Associates, Architects, to present a draft of the building.
In other business the board:
• Approved a quote from Ditch Witch of Fort Wayne for $37,315 to purchase a trencher. Other bidders were Case Equipment Co of Warsaw, $39,749.53, and Vermeer Inc. of Indiana, $41,950.
• Approved town marshal Dave Wilcoxson's request to escort school children going to the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne on Feb. 4.
The marshal also asked to sponsor a fund-raiser for the widow and unborn child of State Trooper Jason Beal, which was approved.
• Heard from Starkey that the plan commission is updating the zoning map.
• Heard from Hockemeyer that the town code is half finished, a project his office has worked on for months.
• Discussed inviting a Department of Natural Resources representative to the Feb. 8 meeting to discuss building a boat ramp in the town park and the DNR's proposed leasing of the access road between city hall and the fire station. The town blocks this road during certain summer events.
• Scheduled a special meeting with trustee Ron King to discuss a possible real estate transaction for 7 p.m. Jan. 31.
