Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Several street improvement projects are on the way in North Webster.
Public Works project manager Denny Reafsnyder informed the town council Wednesday that street lights, belonging to REMC, will be installed along the west side of Midlake Drive. Cost will be $159 for cable and $18 per month for electricity.
Other projects Reafsnyder reported on are the installation of sidewalks on Pine Street from Dixie Street to Ind. 13 and a contract with Likens Construction to install pads of cement for $200 each at Lakeside Park.
Reafsnyder also said that Indiana Department of Transportation plans to repave Ind. 13 from Washington Street to U.S. 6 by spring 2004.
In other news, North Webster resident Dexter Shepherd brought a request to the council for a letter to Kosciusko Superior Court 1 urging them to deny a petition by Campbell and Fetter Bank for exclusive riparian rights to Webster Lake along Short Street. The bank's petition would give them control over use of the water.
According to Shepherd, residents of Bockmans Park Second Edition frequently use the access to the lake for fishing. "I would hope that you would back the citizens of this town instead of some bank that's trying to make a buck on it," Shepherd said.
Town attorney Jack Birch said, "The question is whether the town has any interest in the water. Unless the town has some interest in the claim, the town shouldn't side with one property owner over another. It's a private dispute."
The board informed Shepherd that, in this case, they could not legally write a letter against the petition.
In other business, the board:
• Scheduled a hearing on the sewer rate study for Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.
• Scheduled the budget hearing for Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. and the budget adoption meeting for Sept. 15 at noon.
Approved Church of God's plans for their expansion project, which include the vacation of an alley and the opening of a new section of paved road, both on the north side of the church.
• Approved a request from Gary and Becky Holloway for a letter of support for a setback variance.
The next town council meeting will be Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. Board members are president Kay Andrews, Jeff Morgan and Ken Wagner.
