North Webster Town Marshal Greg Church, left, and Town Attorney Jack Birch have a discussion prior to the Tuesday evening, Dec. 19 meeting of the North Webster Town Council. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — The North Webster Town Council convened for its final regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 19, inside the North Webster Community Center. The brief meeting was actually the most animated during the public comment section when local business owner Scott Kuhn, who also serves as the vice president of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, brought up his personal concerns about public parking on West Washington Street.

Kuhn noted that when vehicles are at an angle parked on both sides of the street, it becomes very difficult for two moving vehicles to utilize the street at the same time. He asked the council to consider alternatives, including parallel parking on the street, to help free up space for driving. Kuhn acknowledged that doing so would reduce the number of parking spaces for vehicles to use, which would raise the concerns of local businesses that feel parking for their customers is already at a premium on the street.

Town Marshal Greg Church and Utilities Superintendent MIke Noe were asked by the council to seek opinions from business owners in the vicinity after the new year, either through written or verbal communication.

In other business:

• Noe noted a need for a pump repair at the wastewater treatment plant.

• Leaf pickup for the season is completed. The final day was Dec. 11, which is about a week later than usual. Weather conditions allowed the department to pick up leaves further into the year before converting the equipment for snow removal.

• Striping on certain town streets will be delayed until spring. The town was advised that doing so now and in the colder months would void the warranty on the thermal plastic used to stripe the pavement.

• Noe advised the council of an estimate of $3,825 to repair a couple storm drains on South Street that are collapsing, as well as repairing the sidewalks in that area. The repair amount was approved by the council out of the storm drain budget. It likely will not be done before the end of the year.

• Church requested and received overtime approval of 250 hours for his department during 2024. He doesn’t anticipate using all those hours, but is requesting a cushion in case of unforeseen circumstances. In 2023, the department utilized less than 100 hours of overtime.

• Kerlin Motors has given Church an estimate of $44,815 for a new police vehicle. The department will be trading in a vehicle with a value of $3,800. The council approved a motion to purchase the new vehicle.

• In the park department report, Leann Hubbs informed the council that concrete work has been completed in front of Pizza King.

• The park department is ordering a new sandwich board to try to keep people from driving on to the grass in the town park.

• Council President Dan Thystrup advised the council that INDOT has acknowledged receipt of a request from the town requesting grant money for the proposed North Webster trail. He also noted that the K21 Foundation remains on board with the project, as well.

• The council approved an expense of $1,105 for the annual inter-local agreement for terminal services data.

• Clerk-treasurer Leigh Anne Jessop advised the council of a change order from Niblock that will result in the return of $10,838 to the town.

The council will meet next week for its annual year-end budget session. The date has not yet been finalized.

The next regular meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, in the NWCC. The public is invited to attend.