Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Potential use of the elementary school building was discussed during the town council meeting Wednesday.
The building, which will be abandoned in 2003 by the Wawasee School Corp., has been the source of much speculation over the last few months.
Town council members have initiated an Indiana Department of Commerce planning grant to study the school and figure renovation and construction costs.
Board president Kay Andrews had previously announced the receipt of a letter of interest regarding the gymnasium facilities from Sherman Goldenberg, president of Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse.
Last night she read the letter during the public meeting.
Another letter from the U.S. Post Office also was read in part, notifying the board of a determination that the present facilities cannot be expanded at the current site. The organization will be seeking existing facilities to move into or locate a vacant property where a building can be constructed.
Joanna Beatson, Victims Assistance coordinator with the Kosciusko County prosecutor's office, approached the board regarding a grant application from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
Beatson said the grant will offer 24-hour assistance to victims of violent crimes in the Milford, North Webster and Syracuse area, with the main office at the Syracuse Police Department.
If the grant is awarded, the program would begin in July.
Andrews and board member Jeff Morgan (member Ken Wagoner was absent) agreed to an in-kind match for the group, which will include use of office space, computers and telephone lines.
In other business the board:
• Received from Tim Kelty the five-year parks department plan formulated by park board members and Kelty, who works for R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill.
The plan has not been approved by the park board and is required by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for grant application purposes.
• Mentioned the county council recently approved the Economic Development Income Tax at .3 percent and raised the County Option Income Tax from .6 percent to .7 percent. The board will be presenting projects to use the money, which will be available for spending in 2001. The EDIT collection begins in July and is applied to all taxable income.
Board members are Kay Andrews, Ken Wagoner and Jeff Morgan. Peg Lawrance is clerk-treasurer.
