During a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 23, Chris Harrison of Commonweath Engineering, addressed the North Webster Town Council regarding the 2024 INDOT Community Crossings Grant projects in the town. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

Most of the official agenda of the first meeting of 2024 for the North Webster Town Council was fairly uneventful. However, one agenda item drew several residents and business owners, who wanted to make their positions known regarding public parking in the area of Washington and Main streets in the heart of downtown.

During the last meeting of 2023, local business owner, Scott Kuhn, who also serves as the vice president of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, brought before the council his concerns about parking in that area. He argued that the current parking configuration made it difficult for vehicles to turn onto West Washington Street from Main Street. He had asked the council to consider removing or reconfiguring some parking spots to make it easier for travel. At that time, the council agreed to take the discussion to the January meeting, with the hope of soliciting the opinions of other business owners in that area.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, several of those business owners came out in opposition to any changes to the current parking arrangement. Some argued that Kuhn’s arguments were unfounded and that the downtown area could not afford to lose any more public parking spaces.

Dave Rensberger, representing the North Webster Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory, noted that Fire Chief Jeremy Likens did not have any concerns about the parking, dispelling an argument by Kuhn that the parking situation could affect emergency vehicles from accessing Washington Street when vehicles were lined up on both sides of the roadway.

Town Council President Dan Thystrup agreed that the downtown area could not afford to lose any more parking spaces, especially during the summer months. He agreed that the issue could be revisited by the council in the spring.

In other business:

• Thystrup was reelected president of the town council for 2024.

• Jack Birch was reappointed as the town’s attorney.

• Greg Church was reappointed as town marshal.

• Mike Wyrick was appointed as the council’s at-large representative on the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory.

• The council approved the renewal of memberships with the Indiana league of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers, Accelerate Indiana Municipalities, Indiana Association Chiefs of Police and North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce.

• Approved the town’s annual $250 donation to the Kids Business Fair at the North Webster Community Center.

• The council heard from Chris Harrison of Commonwealth Engineers regarding the 2024 INDOT Community Crossings Matching Grant Projects. Harrison presented the council with an agreement for them to review and vote upon during the February meeting.

• Andy Heltzel, assistant planner and flood plain administrator for Kosciusko County, addressed the council regarding the town’s renewed flood plain certification. Thystrup signed a document certifying Heltzel’s assessment of the town’s efforts, which results in flood insurance discounts for the town and its residents.

• Thystup updated the council on his meetings with INDOT regarding the North Webster trail project.

The next meeting of the North Webster Town Council will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, inside the North Webster Community Center. The public is invited to attend.