North Webster Council Declines KEDCO Membership
NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Town Council declined to participate in KEDCO for the next year at the council’s Tuesday, Aug. 20, meeting at the North Webster Community Center. President Lisa Strombeck presided. Two ordinances were presented that had previously been approved and approval was given to purchase a phone app that would save the town money in overtime. Noise complaints from the new sewer pump were also addressed.
KEDCO Executive Director Alan Tio addressed the council at the July 23 meeting. All three council members expressed concern if the town would receive $6,000 in benefits from the annual membership fee. North Webster has not been a member since 2008 and will continue to not participate.
Ordinances previously approved to vacate unpaved, unused but plated alleys were presented by Jack Birch, town attorney. They will be given to the petitioners to be filed at the courthouse.
Utilities Manager Jayne Alger suggested that a phone app be purchased that would cut overtime for her department. It is called a transducer and allows employees to check what is wrong with sewer stations when there is a problem. Recently, employees had to be out in the dark at night to find out what was wrong, adding to overtime expenses. The cost of $2,300 from Service Electric, Warsaw, was approved.
The new pump in the service treatment plant has caused people to complain about the noise. Alger said she talked with Air-Vac Vacuum Sewer Technology, Rochester. The company will replace the pump with a quieter model, reinstall and do the piping for it with no new charges to the town. The offer was accepted. A time frame for the replacement is currently unknown.
Council Member Dan Thystrup reported he is checking with state and county officials regarding a sidewalk being installed along SR 13 from North Webster Ace Hardware to the North Webster Post Office. A possible bicycle trail was mentioned as well. He will continue these efforts.
Police Chief Greg Church asked that North Webster trick or treat hours be set from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 31. July calls of service numbered 314 with the most being traffic-related at 57, followed by 30 citizen assists and 25 battery, fight or domestic calls. North Webster Police Department officers worked 734 hours, drove 4, 137 miles and used 337.1 gallons of fuel.
The park department reported the free Music in the Park concert series will continue at 7 p.m., Fridays through Labor Day weekend. The final Webster Ski Bees Water ski show was held Aug. 17.
The next regular meeting to the town council will be 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17, North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.