TOWN OF SILVER LAKE

REGULAR MEETING

604 N. JEFFERSON ST.

May 10, 2011

Silver Lake Meeting Hall

7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:

 

Linda Baker, Chad Miner, Gale Owens, Angela Glass, Craig Hollopeter, and      Jasun Blocher were present.  Morris Jones was absent.

 

PUBLIC HEARING FOR VACATING STREETS:

 

                        Mr. and Mrs. Michael Doub are seeking to vacate Buckeye Street where it

                        runs through their property.  They have been having disputes with neighbors

over the property lines.  Jason McGlennen said,” he doesn’t feel the town should be closing any unimproved streets or alleyways. They were put there

fifty years ago for a reason.  Whether the town is big enough to need them now doesn’t mean it won’t be fifty years from now.” Jasun Blocher said,” I agree with Jason McGlennen.  If the town starts closing alleys and streets it will go on until we don’t have any left.  Part of living in town is trying to get along with your neighbors.”  Mrs. Doub said “I thought the town could use the extra tax revenue. The town will be lucky if it is still here in fifty years. “

 

MINUTES:       Minutes from the April 12, 2011 meeting were presented.  Chad Miner voted

                        to accept the minutes.  Gale Owens seconded.  Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

1)     The board decided to vote on the request to vacate part of Buckeye Street. Gale Owens made the motion to close the street.  Linda Baker made the motion to keep it open.  Chad Miner seconded the motion to keep it open.  One against the motion, two for the motion.  Motion carries.  The board will think about an ordinance to stop people from driving on their driveway.  Chad Miner suggested an agreement with the town to put a fence on the property line.  The board will put together an agreement soon.

2)     Craig asked the board if there were funds available to proceed with

enforcing the abandoned building code.  Angie said they usually use funds

from the “rainy day fund.”

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1)     Angie presented the board with two quotes to finish the improvements to Town Hall. Rich Vanosdol quoted $3129.00.  Mike Carr quoted $6300.00. Gale Owens made the motion to accept the quote from Rich

Vanosdol.  Chad Miner seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

     

2)     The board was presented with two quotes for repairs on the Highway Garage.  The county leases it for one dollar a year for the next thirty years while allowing the town to use part of it for storage.  The board decided to table the quotes until they could obtain some references from the contractors.

 

3)     The board was presented with two quotes to fix the telephone lines in the office. Frontier quoted $125.00 the first 1/2 hour, $25.00 for every ˝ hour after. Phone Line, Inc. quoted $396.09.  Chad Miner made the motion to accept the quote from Phone Line Inc.  Gale Owens seconded.  Motion carried.

 

4)     The board, on recommendation from the State Board of Accounts, decided to advertise for sealed bids for the ExMark mower.  The bids will be opened at the next regular meeting.  Angie will put the notice in the paper. 

 

5)     The Area Planning Commission sent a letter requesting a board member or someone they suggest, fill the current opening on the board.  Gale Owens and Chad Miner declined.  Linda Baker said she would if there wasn’t any other interest.  Gale Owens suggested Rick Elliot because it would fit into other town business he is currently involved in.  Rick accepted.

 

6)     The town park has been experiencing problems with a blue heron eating the goldfish out of the pond.  Craig said he was asked to get a quote for a net to put over the pond. The quote was for $389.49. It was decided that the flag that was put up to deter the bird was currently working well.

 

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

 

Craig Hollopeter said his department was starting to get ready for Silver Lake Days.  He has submitted all the requests for permits from the state highway.

                        Jasun Blocher said that groundbreaking for the stormwater project is

                        expected to be the last week of May or the first week of June.  Any displaced

                        trees will be replaced.  He talked about the mosquito sprayer. It has a hole in

the piston, among other problems.  Parts for repair are no longer available. The board asked him to get some quotes for a new one.  He is also going to obtain quotes to paint the water tower.  He has been told it will be considerably cheaper than previously quoted.  He asked if the board would consider using part of the money saved to purchase water meters.  Several need replaced.  It currently is taking about double the time to read and        re-read the meters every month.  Jasun said they have a sewer pump needing repairs.  There is still a problem with people hooking their sump pumps to the sanitary sewer system.  There is an ordinance against this.  People can be fined if caught.  They are looking into a device that would help locate where the sump pumps are connected. 

 

                        In the absence of Morris Jones, Jasun Blocher reminded the town of the

                        fund raiser for fireman Brad Hemmer.  It will be held on Saturday, May 14th

                        with a motorcycle ride at 9:00 a.m. There will also be a hog roast, two bands,           

                        ice cream, a dunk tank and children’s entertainment. Parking will be in the

                        Wabash Valley parking lot.  Jasun asked that people keep the fire station

                        parking lot and lawn clear of parking. 

           

                        Angie Glass told everyone that the town now accepts credit cards and debit

                        cards to pay for utility bills, ordinance violations, permits, etc. There is no

                        cost to the town.  The equipment was free of charge.  Any fees charged go to

                        PayGov. 

 

LETTERS:

                        The town received two letters from residents who recently had water leaks

                        that affected their water bills.  After going over the bills, Gale Owens made a

                        motion to adjust the bills back to normal.  Chad Miner seconded.  Motion

                        carried.

 

CLAIM DOCKET:

                       

                        A claim docket was presented for $76,751.61. Gale Owens made the motion

                        to accept.  Chad Miner seconded.  Motion carried.

 

                        Mrs. Doub asked whether the burn ordinance had changed.  Craig said it was

                        still the same.

 

ADJOURN:     Gale Owens made the motion to adjourn.  Chad Miner seconded.  Motion

                        carried.  Next meeting June 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________                                 ________________________________________           

Linda Baker, Town Council President                                  Angela Glass, Clerk-Treasurer