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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
For The Sake Of The Lakes
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Page 8 One Nation Under God themail-journal.com
Syracuse Council holds several public hearings %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU Michelle Owens came to the Syracuse Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 19, prepared to ask questions regarding the proposed sewer and water rate increases. The council held public hearings on both ordinances. Owens first question was why it looked like the council based the sewer increase on the maximum rate. Robert Reynolds from London Witte Group, who proposed the rate increases in a five year plan, explained he provided the council with three scenarios. The first was cash funded while the second and third had financing involved. While the second and third options would have a lower impact on rate payers, they would actually be more expensive for the town. Owens asked why the rate increase was not tiered. Reynolds explained tiering the rate increase would cause cash flow issues in the first year and no big projects could be done until year five of the rate plan. He said the biggest issue was cash flow which needs to be addressed now. Owens asked if the infrastructure was fixed in five years could rate payers expect a rate decrease. The council said there was no way to know what would happen in the future. Owens asked about the $1.2 million the wastewater treatment plant already had on hand. Reynolds explained the funds were divided into a general fund to cover costs such as salaries; debt service or bonds; and bond service reserve, where the town had, by town ordinance, funds available for future bond payments. There is $468,000 for projects in the waste water budget for projects. Reynolds explained that wasn’t enough money to cover Continued on page 2
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Shipley named executive director of North Webster Community Center Emily Shipley, president of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, will become the North Webster Community Center’s new executive director in early October, according to a release from the NWCC board. “This is great news, coming as it did only days after we learned that the position was to be vacated,” said NWCC President Dennis Wagoner. “We can hardly express our good fortune in having a confirmed succession plan on the table at the center, a nonprofit
facility that has seen its fortunes rise appreciably over the past two years under the energetic leadership of Executive Director Emily Worrell.” Worrell, for her part, announced last week that she’s moving into a new position as director of communications and marketing for the Wawasee Community School Corp., where she previously had held a teaching position. Shipley, a lifelong area resident known for her passionate role in the community, says she would like to see more organiza-
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North Webster Town Council considers options for crumbling deck %\ .(,7+ .1(33 6WDII :ULWHU The biggest topic of interest during Tuesday evening’s monthly meeting of the North Webster Town Council was what to do with the deteriorating deck behind Pizza King. The deck, which extends 50 feet into Webster Lake and is 40 feet wide, is town property that is used by many people to dock their boats, fish in the lake or enjoy a meal. However, it has fallen into such disrepair that decisions must be made sooner, rather than later, on what to do with the wooden structure.
Inside
A long discussion was held on a “new business” item regarding extending utility service outside the town limits during the Syracuse Town Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 19. Councilman Larry Siegel brought the matter up stating he had sent emails to the rest of the council with his thoughts. Attorney Steve Unger, an attorney with Bose McKiney & Evans in Indianapolis, came in through a Zoom call. Unger has experience in annexation issues. David Wilkinson, town manager, explained he reached out to Unger regarding extending utilities without annexation. Unger recommends not extending utilities unless the developer or property owner agrees
to annexation into the town limits. If annexation isn’t complete at the start of a project a municipality may not be able to annex later. Unger used Fox Run as an example. The town extended water and sewer to the development, but residents are not interested in being annexed into the town limits, and the council cannot force the matter under state law. Unger said it was easier to get developers to agree to annexation before construction starts, however, even with agreements, fights still erupt because residents don’t want annexation after moving in. Unger reviewed other tools such as tax increment finance districts and the types of annexation allowed in the state. At the heart of the discussion was the possible annexation of a proposed RV park. Earlier this year the town voted to extend water and sewer to the park even though annexation was thought to not be possible. Conversation continued for over a half hour with council members getting fidgety as the regular council monthly meeting had already run over two hours. Councilman Paul Stoelting pointed out several times the discussion should have been an agenda item, not something to be discussed under “new business” which is at the bottom of the meeting agenda. Several times council members agreed to have Wilkinson and Unger explore whether annexing the proposed RV park would even Continued on page 3
“Due to her familiarity with the community at large and the positive role she’s played as the chamber president,” added Lori Mark, vice president of the NWCC board. “Emily Shipley is a great fit to carry on the positive momentum we are creating at the center.” Shipley, who grew up around the lakes of northern Kosciusko County, obtained her bachelor’s degree in communications in 1999 from Grace College, Winona Lake, currently also serves as Continued on page 2
Homecoming time at Wawasee
Syracuse Council has lengthy discussion on annexation %\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU
tions working together with the goal of keeping North Webster a great place to live and work. “I am honored and excited to become a part of this organization,” said Shipley. “I love this community, not only the businesses and organizations I’ve represented through the chamber, but the people who are a part of it. In this role, I will strive to represent each community member by connecting them to the center through programs and events, but also creating a place to feel valued as an individual.”
The issue was initially brought up during the parks report delivered by Leann Hobbs. She recommended the town restrict access to the deck because of potential liability issues. It was estimated that the current structure has been there since the 1980s. During the ensuing discussion, it was noted that the length of any replacement needed to remain its current 50-feet since the water level is so shallow, any shorter structure would not be accessible by boats. Any permanent structure, however, would likely require approval by Continued on page 3
S Students TTo Open Gallery See Page 9 See Public Notice On Page 11
Wawasee will celebrate its 2023 fall homecoming Friday, Sept. 22, when the varsity football team hosts Northridge. Festivities will start at 4:30 p.m. with the homecoming parade. The parade travels west starting at Polar Kraft Boats located at 300 E. Chicago St. and will end at the Wawasee High School parking lot. The deadline to sign up for the parade is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. Late entries will be accepted. The Wawasee Gridiron Homecoming Tailgate is from 4:30-7 p.m. at the WHS parking lot. Food available for sale from Chubbies include combo meals featuring a
burger or brat with chips, steak tips with potatoes and drinks. Wawasee (1-4) will take on Class 4A No. 9 Northridge (4-1) at 7 p.m. The homecoming ceremony will take place at halftime. The senior homecoming court includes Donovan Blair with Allison Clark, Ty Brooks with Alyssa McClintic, Nathan Harper with Kylie Perkins and Senate Shaw with Kenley Stewart. Underclassmen representatives include freshmen Brock Coday and Evalyn Blanco, sophomores Davis Everingham and Danika Miller and juniors Trayvon Senders and Sylvia Dixon.
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