The town of North Webster will learn the fate of its grant for $500,000 to update and repair the North Webster sewage treatment plant, lift stations and lines July 17. The Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs deadline for application is May 29 with the initial application to be presented by Triad Associates, Engineering and Architecture, on behalf of the town of North Webster, March 6.

This information was presented by Triad’s Rick L. Pharis, PE, during the grant hearing that was part of the regular North Webster Town Council meeting Tuesday evening at the North Webster Community Center. Indiana Department of Environmental Management has required the town to do the work.

The treatment plant is 20 years old with a 500,000 gallon capacity to treat sewage. During five months in 2013, the capacity reached 80 percent, automatically triggering IDEM to inspect. Upon inspection, a list of improvements required was given to the town.

Pharis noted “The good news in terms of the grant is that a new income study of the residents inside the town limits show 51.2 percent have low to moderate incomes. This allows the grant to move along.” No public comment was received during the grant hearing.

Town council approved the bid by Dixie Haven Resort to lease and manage six public municipal piers on Webster Lake. They are located in North Webster Town Park. The resort will be responsible for the 12 spaces the piers provide including putting them in, taking them out and maintenance. Dixie Haven assured it will work with everyone and be flexible. Solicitation of bids was advertised in The Times-Union and The Mail-Journal three weeks previously.

Park board appointments were made and approved by the council. They are renewal member Steve Bryant and new members Mark Hubbs. David Waliczek and Tammy Waliczek. All are residents of the town. Board meetings will be announced in local media for the public who might wish to attend.

Board members will have Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Luce present at the first meeting to discuss the budget. Weed treatment has been scheduled and is under the park board jurisdiction. Music in the Park acts also need to be booked soon.

Severn Trent Services Utility Manager Mike Noe received praise from the council, the public and Police Chief Greg Church on the job being done plowing. “Good reports have been coming in,” commented Council President Jon Sroufe.

North Webster Police Department had 158 calls of service in January with the most being traffic related, accidents, citizen and agency assists. Officers worked 545.5 hours and drove 3,211 miles using 265.9 gallons of fuel.

Council members are Sroufe, Lisa Strombeck and Tim Hine. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, party room, North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.