Fire Chief John Conley is shown giving a presentation on the new fire truck the Silver Lake Fire Department wishes to purchase. Photo by Caleigh Byrer.

By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — The Silver Lake Town Council approved a request to purchase a new fire truck at its Wednesday, March 8, meeting.

Fire Chief John Conley gave a presentation with numerous photos of a fire truck that the department would like to purchase to replace their current one. It is a 2008 Spartan Chassis Rescue 1 fire body with a six man cab and 10,756 miles that is listed for $150,000.

Conley requested permission to place an offer of $120,000 and for the town to provide $55,000 for the purchase of the truck. He also requested that the town be willing to cover up to $10,000 for a compressed air foam system as the truck is not equipped with a pump.

The township would be responsible for the remaining $65,000 and for all maintenance costs after purchase. The township also plans to sell their current truck once they have purchased and are established with the new one.

The council approved the request as it was presented.

Tonya Conley stated she spoke to K21 Foundation to confirm they are authorized to use $200,000 in grant funding, which was correct. Conley wishes to use the funding to make additions to Indiana Trail Park and Rambler Park.

She estimates $142,000-$143,000 will go towards Indiana Trail Park for the installation of a nautical themed playground, basketball court, small pavilion and swing set.

She estimates $72,000 will go towards Rambler Park for the installation of a fenced in toddler area, new picnic tables, small pavilion, climbing boulders, playhouse and commercial-grade cornhole boards.

The remaining balance of the additions will be covered by the town. Council members agreed that these additions to the parks would be great for the area and told Conley to move forward with an application to use the funds.

Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cori Humes attended the meeting to present the council an opportunity to install Clearly Kosciusko signs.

Clearly Kosciusko is an initiative to advertise the county that is in its early stages, with only two signs currently located in Warsaw. It is the CVB’s intention to have at least two signs located in each town within the county.

Humes stated they have already purchased the signs, they just need help choosing where to place them.

The council decided they would like to be a part of the initiative and will likely place the signs on Dixie Drive and Sycamore Street.

Conley revisited the request to keep chickens from last month’s meeting, stating that she had reached out to the Area Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals and learned the current ordinance does not allow chickens in residential areas.

Conley stated that anyone who may want to keep chickens must file a petition with the Board of Zoning Appeals, but should go to the Area Planning Commission first.

During other business, the council discussed:

• Utility reports presented by Baker Tilly; Baker Tilly suggested a 22% increase in the sewer rate ordinance by 2025, but the town’s rates will still be significantly below the statewide average. They also suggested a 10%-15% increase in water bills over the next few years, which will occur before the sewer rate ordinance increases.
• Fire Chief John Conley reported 8 runs since last month’s meeting; three fires, one mutual aid and four medical calls.
• Silver Lake Fire Department dinner and auction will be from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 14.
• Silver Lake Fire Department golf outing will be at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 25. Conley requested they consider sponsoring the event as they have in the past.