Inframark Utilities Manager Mike Noe shows members of the North Webster Town Council a mesh retaining device designed to filter debris in the town’s storm drains as Police Chief Greg Church looks on. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Town Council met for its regular session Tuesday evening, March 14.

In department reports, Mike Noe reported the utilities department is prepared to sell its unneeded backhoe. Council member Dave Waliczek said he has already received an unofficial offer of $15,000 for the machine. Noe also said his department has been busy filling potholes throughout town and encouraged residents to inform the town of streets that need servicing.

Additionally, Noe showed the council reusable mesh retaining bags to be put in street drains designed to catch detritus and prevent it from entering the drainage system and the lake. He said the bags are around $50 each and that he will be testing them this spring.

In his police report, Chief Greg Church informed the council that the new police vehicle the town ordered is being built and should be delivered within a month. In February, the police department responded to 135 calls for service and utilized 626 officer hours.

In other business, Rick Pharis of Triad Associates informed the council he would officially open bids for the Community Crossings Matching Grant project at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 29. The bids would be closed at 11 a.m. that morning and presented to the council which will be meeting in a special session at that time to consider Pharis’ recommendations. Pharis added he has already been notified by a few contractors who plan to submit bids. An official notice will be placed in area newspapers in the coming weeks.

Tippecanoe Township Trustee Chris Francis addressed the council regarding an email sent to members by the architectural firm working on the township’s fire station and adjoining properties. Francis believed the email was sent prematurely and wanted to clear up any confusion it might have caused.

He also provided an update on the township’s progress on the fire station, which includes tearing down the former theater adjacent to the building. The township is hoping to receive a blight grant to help pay for the theater’s demolition.