SILVER LAKE — Discussions turned from flood plains and budgets to woes over the old school building during the regular meeting of the Silver Lake Town Council Wednesday evening, Aug. 12.

The topic came up as council member Gale Owens was reviewing concerns he had received over some old structures in town that they would like to see taken down. Chad Miner noted that the council cannot force the building’s owner to tear it down and that it is brick and, therefore, not likely in danger of collapsing.

The board discussed the topic for some time, including safety concerns, and Miner volunteered to contact the owner.

As far as safety, the council also received a copy of the latest flood plain map and was asked to sign Kosciusko County’s new flood plain ordinance. Towns throughout the county that fall into flood plains are required to sign the ordinance in compliance with FEMA regulations.

There will be a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Silver Lake Town Meeting Hall, 604 N. Jefferson St. Jim Donahoe will be on hand to discuss a grant Silver Lake received that will allow them to test samples, mark sites and compile information. This is the fist of several steps toward applying for a grant for lake dredging.

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The council decided to opt out of KEDCO, with members Phil Shalley and Gale Owens commenting that they did not feel the town was benefitting enough to justify paying the annual dues.

A unanimous vote was taken to renew the town’s contract with Life Med EMS.

Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley asked the council to approve budget funds that she had transferred. “It’s basically transferring between over-budgeted appropriations to ones that were not budgeted enough,” she said.

Joe McNeal gave an update on the town’s new utility truck, purchased to replace one that was wrecked. He noted that the truck is in and he has driven it, but it still needs plow hookups, estimated at $1,300; a light, estimated at $2,100; and wording, estimated at between $200 to $300.

Conley noted that there is about $1,800 in the budget for the truck, enough for the plow hookups and wording. However, the lights will have to wait until next year, she said. Shalley suggested looking into purchasing a magnet instead of having the words painted on, which he said might save some money. Miner agreed and McNeal said he would look into it.

A local Boy Scout troop expressed interest in using the park for an overnight campout. However, Conley pointed out that the city has an ordinance against having fires there. Board members made a few alternate suggestions, including the 5 acres next to the water plant or Gospel Hill Church.

Under department head reports, Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter noted that the department’s Dodge Durango has been listed for sale. McNeal, in the absence of JT Prater of the sewer department, said pumps at a lift station are being replaced. He quoted bids from two companies, one at $4,500 and the other at $6,051. The council approved the smaller of the two.

Fire Chief John Conley gave an update on two fire hydrant replacements, saying one is in place and ready to go and the other is almost done but still needs bolts.

Clerk-Treasurer Conley pointed out an error in which she wrote a check for the water department’s new utility truck out of the general fund, but that the money should have come out of the water fund. She pointed out that she had transferred the amount from the water fund back into the general fund to correct the error.

Gospel Hill Church is hosting Sonfest from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, with kid-friendly activities.