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NORTH WEBSTER - Go-ahead was given Wednesday by the North Webster Town Council for grant application to be made to complete the sewer project around the lake.
A preliminary estimate puts the cost of the project at $2 million. Town council president Myron Clark said that the town will seek grant money so as not to burden the taxpayers any more than necessary.
The town worked for five years to earn grant money to get sewers to homes on the south side of Webster Lake. That work was the second phase of a three-phase project, and completing the system to the east side of the lake will be the final phase. The town has already worked for two years on this phase to reach this point.
"We'll do what we can," Clark said. "We think the lake is important."
As part of the grant process, a petition will be circulated and an income survey completed. Bob Murphy of Murphy & Associates Inc., Larwill, will take care of the survey at a cost of $20 per hour not to exceed $1,250.
In other business, the council approved getting cellular telephones for the police department contingent upon availability of funds.
Cost for four cellular telephones with a total of 150 minutes of air time per month is $121.16 from Centennial Wireless. Another quote, for $104.80 from 360û Communications, allowed only 105 minutes per month and included a smaller user area.
"I want them to have this," Clark said, adding that the telephones would be used "only for business. ... I think it's a safety factor for our community and well worth the money."
A preliminary request was made by Worth Packer for an alley vacation off Lura May Street, where Packer plans to purchase four lots and erect three duplexes.
Phil Payne, a neighbor to the proposed development, said he attended the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals as a remonstrator Tuesday. However, after talking with Packer and reviewing the plans, "we think it'll be a good deal."
Packer will return to the council next month with paperwork to officially pursue the vacation. The property is behind Ace Hardware and is currently wooded.
In other matters, Jeremy Likes was sworn in as a reserve police officer, and budget hearings were set for 7 p.m. Sept. 2 and noon Sept. 14.
