Chase Wroblewski, left, shakes hands with Jack Birch, town attorney, after being sworn into the North Webster Police Department as a new officer. Greg Church, town marshal, stands behind them. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — At its regular monthly meeting, the North Webster Town Council witnessed the swear in of Chase Wrobleswki to the North Webster Police Department. Wroblewski started with the department on Aug. 3. He is a North Webster native. Jack Birch, town attorney, swore Wroblewski in.

Mike Noe, utilities superintendent, asked the board for approval to pursue estimates to take down two trees on Washington Street, near East Street. The trees are dead and Noe presents the trees as a safety issue. The board gave its approval.

Noe continued through his department report, asking the board for the purchase of two items.

The first thing Noe asked the board for approval to purchase is a new rubber tube for the leaf vac.

“The rubber tube is in real bad shape,” Noe informed the board. “I am wanting to order it soon so it can come in before leaf season.”

The rubber tube Noe presented is from Michael Todd for the amount of $2,231.83. The item is a 14 inch rubber tube. The purchase was approved.

The other purchase, per Noe and the IDEM, is a new pump at Lift Station 3. The pump that is currently there is obsolete, as in parts to repair the pump are no longer manufactured.

Noe presented a course of action: the new pump can be installed with the old motor, which could be replaced at a later date. The estimated cost is $36,952.87. Noe described the pump as a “time bomb waiting to explode.”

“Leigh Anne, do we have the money?” Dan Thystrup, council president, asked Leigh Anne Jessop, clerk-treasurer.

“No,” Jessop responded bluntly. “But, IDEM says we have to do it.”

“There is gonna be at least a six to 12 week lead time for this pump anyway,” Noe explained. “We still have to get it ordered, get it started. We don’t have to pay until it’s done.”

“Is there a fund we can pull from?” Lisa Strombeck inquired to Jessop.

“No, because it’s wastewater,” Jessop responded.

After some deliberation, the council decided to table the discussion to further weigh their options.

In other news, the board approved trick or treating to take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.

Jay Montalbano Day, or Jay Day, will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Montalbano was a beloved UPS delivery driver who passed away in March. A bench utilizing private funds will be dedicated in his honor and a proclamation declaring Wednesday, Aug. 28, Jay Montalbano Remembrance Day. A celebration and dedication of the bench will take place at 6:30 p.m. August 28 was Montalbano’s birthday.

There will be a special Town Council meeting held 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 at the town hall annex. During the special meeting, the council will sign a contract to move ahead with the ongoing North Webster Trail project.

The next regular North Webster Town Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, inside the NWCC.