Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Bid specification packets are available for the proposed new post office in North Webster.
Anyone interested in bidding on the project is encouraged to pick up a packet and review the specifications.
The packets are available at the post office.
Town Council President Jon Sroufe Tuesday night said a few prospective bidders already have picked up packets.
The postal service has determined that the existing building and site are not suitable for remodeling and expansion.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from utilities superintendent Dennis Reafsnyder that leaf cleanup will begin Monday and will run though the end of the month.
• Approved $795 for a new spectrophotomer for testing water samples at the wastewater treatment plant. The testing is necessary for the plant to remain in compliance and the current spectrophotomer is failing.
• Instructed Reafsnyder to get a second estimate on repairs to the town's backhoe and to complete repairs. Reafsnyder obtained one estimate for $2,600 to repair the front axle, U-joint, bearings and seals.
• Heard that all decorative lights have been repaired and returned. The stars and sailboat lights will be installed by April 23.
• Heard that the South Street bridge replacement has been delayed until spring or fall of 2006 by the county. A sewer line needs to be moved and the county asked the town to help financially. An engineer is looking into the cost. Sroufe said he thought the cost should be absorbed by the county since the town did not request the bridge.
• Studied the proposed final plat for Oakland Hills, a 79-lot subdivision on the southwest corner of Ind. 13 and Armstrong Road. Reafsnyder said specifications called for a 5-inch sewer line and he requested the developer use a 6-inch line. All existing lines in North Webster are 6-inch and he prefers not to stock 5-inch parts for repairs. He said one lift station would need to be upgraded to supply sewer service to the development. The town believes those costs should be absorbed by the developer, but took no action pending final approval of the plat.
• Heard from town marshal Greg Church that the town's new officer, Marcus Hygema, is doing well. He will undergo eight weeks of training before patrolling on his own and will attend the Law Enforcement Academy in January.
• Heard that Church's department provided 569.75 officer hours, drove 3,184 miles and used 278.7 gallons of fuel during March.
• Heard from Church that open burning is a problem. The town has a no-burning ordinance. He said if residents burn, they will be told to put the fire out. If they burn again, his officers will write citations. "Disagree or not, we must enforce the law," Church said.
• Heard that Church has been writing citations for unkempt properties containing junk cars and trash.
• Announced that council members met with insurance agents and received two proposals for health insurance for town employees. Both agents will now provide "walk throughs" using actual data from town employees to provide more accurate quotes. Based on initial quotes, Sroufe said, the proposals should save the town money through lower premiums.
• Accepted the paving bid of Niblock Paving, Bristol, of $61,746 for 14 streets and alleys. The only other bid was from Phend & Brown, Milford, for $62,853. Reafsnyder said paving will start May 2 and be completed by Memorial Day. Striping should be completed before the Mermaid Festival in June, he said.
• Agreed to pursue the elimination of parking along Ind. 13 in front of the Community Center. The consensus of the board was that it is dangerous for cars backing out toward the highway. Since it involves a state highway, Reafsnyder was instructed to draft a letter to the Indiana Department of Transportation seeking approval of the change.
• Reported that representatives of the Barbee Lakes sewer project asked if any eventual sewer system could be linked to the North Webster wastewater treament plant. Since the project is in the initial feasibility stage, Sroufe and Travis Marsh agreed that the town should take part. They both noted, however, that any involvement by the town must not negatively impact existing customers and has to be revenue-producing for the town. Sroufe said adding customers and capacity could offset future increases for current customers.
• Tabled a request for $750 in dues from Kosciusko Development Inc. The town will invite a representative of KDI to discuss what North Webster can expect to receive for its $750.
• Approved $250 to the North Webster Lakes Association for fireworks and another $100 for weed control.
The next council meeting is May 17.
Council members are Sroufe, March and Jane Shepherd. Shepherd was on vacation and not in attendance at Tuesday's meeting.
