North Webster Town Council decided to put some teeth into Ordinance 90-99 by amending it to have progressive fines for each offense of not scooping up dog waste.

The North Webster Police Department requested the action during last night’s council meeting noting several citizens complained about dog waste not being bagged and removed from public and private property.
One of the locations that had a number of complaints was the North Webster Youth League ball fields where practice and games have begun.

Although belonging to the township, the area is in town limits and the ordinance will be enforced there with township permission and elsewhere throughout town.

The fine for the first offense is $25, the second $50 and $100 thereafter. “Be a good neighbor and citizen and take care of your dog’s business,” admonished town council president Jon Sroufe.

Karilyn Metcalf and Bob Barnes of Dixie Sternwheeler Inc. thanked the town for creating an additional parking lot on East Himes Street for the park, Dixie and the restaurant. The lot is west of the Dixie Haven Motel.

Additional signage to direct people to park there was also requested with the Dixie offering to pay the expenses. However, councilman Tim Hine, who is also a park board member, moved that the town pay for the signage and he and utility manager Mike Noe work with the Dixie representatives to insure maximum exposure for the signs. It was approved.

The council also approved street and alley closings for Saturday, July 27, during Dixie Days, which will be held Friday and Saturday, July 26-27. Sue Ward, North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce president, presented a plan that was approved with agreement of North Webster Fire Chief Jeremy Likens and North Webster Police Chief Greg Church. Both were present at the meeting and agreed to work with the chamber.

Unlike previous years, East Washington Street will remain open to help traffic flow. Besides extending from North Webster Community Center down Main Street to South Street, vendors and activities will also be placed on West Washington Street leading to the North Webster Lions Club Festival Grounds. That is also where the Cruise-In Car Show and Vintage Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet will be held, along withfood concessions and musical entertainment.

West Washington will be open to traffic from Main Street to Ward Lane.

The Art Fair will remain on the town square lawn along with other booths and music.

During Noe’s utility report, it was mentioned that a 150- to 200-year-old oak tree in the midst of the town’s 20 acres of farm land was inadvertently cut down. The town is looking for someone to haul away the remains. He also mentioned that the weather has slowed some of the work for the street and utilities department.

The next regular meeting will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St.

(For a more in-depth account of last night’s meeting, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal).