Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - A list of new sewer classifications with rates was presented in a public hearing Tuesday during the town council meeting.
There were no public comments regarding a monthly rate of $31.22 for housing lodges, churches and lodges with 200 members and schools at a rate of $3.12 per student.
Phil Payne said that if the town establishes a sewer rate as seasonal, he would like to have a seasonal rate, too.
"It appears to me if you change classifications for some, you ought to for others," he said, noting that the rates established for a for-profit local trailer court were billed on a seasonal basis. Payne and his wife go south for the winter, he said, and he has two rentals that are occupied only about six months of the year. He pays sewage fees on a year-round monthly basis.
An ordinance banning burning in town was read. Council president Kay Andrews said the old ordinance allowed burning of leaves and brush 30 days in the spring and 30 in the fall. When the town accepted an Indiana Department of Environmental Management grant for the leaf vacuum, they also agreed to no burning other than for cooking and recreation.
An ordinance establishing a 20 mile-per-hour speed limit on town streets also was approved. Fees are $30 plus $1 for every mile over the speed limit. The town will collect the fees now instead of the money going to the state.
The police department will keep confiscated "drug" money as provided by Ordinance 2003-19 which establishes a Law Enforcement Forfeiture Fund to replay police expenses.
The board thanked Terri Pawlosky for her work the last 11 years as park director. Pawlosky is giving up the job at the end of December.
"Everyone owes you a great debt. You have our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the work you have done," Andrews said.
Public works superintendent Dennis Reafsnyder said street paving has been finished for the year and leaf pickup is complete.
The wastewater treatment operation permit now requires an e coli test beginning April 1, as required by IDEM. Costs will depend on the type of test and equipment required, Reafsnyder said, indicating this information will be available at the next meeting.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from town marshal Greg Church, who said a grant of $1,500 for light-weight Kevlar vests had arrived along with the vests.
He also presented a reciprocal agreement with the Warsaw Police Department that assures the town the city's police department will respond in case of a major disaster. The North Webster officers would likewise go to Warsaw, if called. Town attorney Jack Bishop noted the departments also could bill one another for services, according to the agreement.
• Heard Joseph and James Harris received IDEM approval to begin infrastructure work in Hickory Hollow, the housing subdivision across from the North Webster Elementary School.
• Heard from Andrews that the State Board of Accounts is requesting an inventory of fixed assets. The Indiana Municipal Power Association presented a quote not to exceed $5,000 to provide the inventory. The item was tabled for next year's town council to decide.
• Set the end-of-year meeting for Dec. 22 at noon and the first meeting in January for Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. New member John Sroufe will be out of town on the usual meeting date.
Town council members are Kay Andrews, Ken Wagoner and
Jeff Morgan.
