This is just one of many loads of brush Tippecanoe Township Trustee Chris Francis and his sons have removed from North Webster Cemetery in the summer long tidying effort. InkFreeNews photo provided by Chris Francis.

By Martha Stoelting
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Tippecanoe Township Advisory Board held the first reading of the proposed 2022 budget at the Wednesday, Sept. 8, meeting. It was held in the Tippecanoe Township Building, North Webster.

President Jim Smith ran the meeting via telephone but Jim Rhodes and Ed Clayton were present along with trustee Chris Francis and township clerk Jen Cripe.

The total budget is $1,826,415. The estimated rate adjustment with mew valuations is just 7 cents per $100. The amount remained the same as 2021 according to Francis. Further breakdown is rainy day fund, $100; general fund $178,550; township assistance $16,000; fire 0 due to new North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory; cumulative fire $0; recreation $4,800; special fire protection territory general fund, $133,500; and special fire protection territory equipment replacement $269,015.

No one was present from the North Webster Fire Department but Francis gave the report. Grants for new radios are still in progress as is work on the ISO audit for insurance purposes. The new tornado warning siren was tested Saturday, Sept. 4. It will be tested the first Saturday of every month.

During the trustee’s report, it was noted the new employee was added to the short term and long term disability insurance passed at the last meeting so there are new figures. Stacey Cox, Wetzel Insurance, will be at the next board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, to present health insurance options.

Francis led a lengthy discussion with the board on the state of the cemeteries it oversees in Tippecanoe Township. Quotes are being obtained for signs at Mock Cemetery. Mickem & Sons Tree Service, North Webster, was awarded the bid to cut down a tree in North Webster Cemetery that was rotten. Francis and his sons have hauled out many loads of brush that have been cut by them from North Webster Cemetery.

The next meeting for the Tippecanoe Township Board will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 102 W. Morton St. Park on the Blaine Street side parking lot and enter the building through the Tippecanoe Township Trustee’s office.