$1.50
Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
WHS Graduate Receives Educator Award
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
One Nation Under God
Page 7 themail-journal.com
Town Council approves utility asset By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
POTHOLDERS FOR THANKSGIVING — Katherine Fisher, lead teacher for the 2-yearolds at New Beginnings Daycare in Milford, helps Kaylee Gay make a potholder for Thanksgiving. Fisher painted Gay’s hand so when it was pressed onto the potholder it resembled a turkey. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.
Board approves Teacher Bargaining Agreement, 2024-25 school calendar Text and Photos By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer The Wawasee Community School Corporation board approved the 2023-25 Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement during its regular school board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 14. The current salary range for returning Wawasee Community School Corporation teachers is $41,750 to $74,750. Base salary increases are available for teachers who received an evaluation rating of effective or highly effective in
the prior school year. Teachers who receive an evaluation rating of ineffective or improvement necessary in the prior school year are not eligible for a base salary increase and will remain at their prior year salary. Any funds otherwise allocated for teachers who were rated ineffective or improvement necessary will be equally redistributed to all teachers rated effective or highly effective. The redistribution will be in the form of a stipend that will be paid at the end of the school year. The salary scale is split to show the pay difference between teachers
who have acquired a bachelor’s degree and those who acquired a master’s degree. When a teacher moves down a row in either column, they will receive a $1,500 raise. When a teacher moves to the master’s column, they will receive a $3,000 raise and as they move down the master’s column, their salary will increase by $1,500. There is a 0% increase on health insurance premiums. During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, the school corporation will provide two insurance holidays in which employee Continued on page 3
County Redevelopment Commission hears update on CR 1300N corridor By BRIANNA PITTS Staff Writer The Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission heard an update from Plan Commission Director Matthew Sandy on the Abonmarche project for the CR 1300N corridor during a Nov. 9 meeting. Sandy shared some details about a formation of a steering committee beginning for the project. It will not be a decision-making committee, but rather a space for community representatives to shape and contribute their thoughts. Sandy will be the chair of this committee. Some other notable individuals that have been asked to be involved in this committee are the Senior Urban Planner from Abonmarche, Crystal Welsh; Redevelopment Commissioners Doug Hanes and Jan Orban; Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty; and either Commissioner Brad Jackson or Cary Groninger. Representatives from Syracuse
5IF .BJM +PVSOBM
and Milford will also be involved. At this point, Welsh and Sandy expect this committee will meet quarterly for about an hour. The town of Syracuse has offered their community center as a meeting location for the committee, but it has yet to be decided where they will meet. Sandy expressed to the commission that “While Abonmarche will be doing most of the work when it comes to this project, input from this committee is necessary because we know our community best.” Redevelopment Commission President Joni Truex said, “I think this committee will be very beneficial and is a great idea. Thank you again Matt for taking charge on this.” Truex then discussed some goals for 2024, mainly aligning ideas and priorities with county commissioners and county council. Truex explained she had met with both Groninger and Jackson separately to talk about different priorities they had and compiled them to provide some insight for
Inside
At the Milford Town Council meeting Monday, Nov. 13, Ryan Lareau of Commonwealth Engineers came before the council with a proposed fee for an asset management plan. Since the results of the master utilities study were approved last month, Commonwealth has been discussing how to proceed with projects to improve the town’s water distribution and wastewater treatment. An asset management plan outlines projects, who will be handling them and how they should be funded. Lareau recommended applying to the State Revolving Fund for grant money to help fund utility improvements. Commonwealth must prepare the plan for the town and have it ready to submit to SRF in March 2024. The council accepted his proposal, electing to pay $40,000 to Commonwealth for the asset management plan and an amount not to exceed $10,000 for Indianapolis company LWG to act as financial advisors on the plan. Both payments will come out of ARPA funds. Dan Brown of the Milford Redevelopment Commission also approached the council with two engagement letters the commission had approved that morning. The first was for business law firm Barnes & Thornburg to serve as bond council for a staging facility project that is nearing close in the Industrial TIF District, at a cost not to exceed $45,000. The other was for LWG to serve as financial advisors at a cost not to exceed $36,000. Under the annexation agreement Milford has with BRTB, the company is responsible for these payments unless the project does not close, in which case the town will be billed only for time spent. The council approved entering both engagements. In fire department news, J & K Communications will be installing two new sirens Friday, Nov. 10. The department is planning to test these sirens at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month going forward. The police department announced that the annual Santa Parade will be taking place 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, on north and south streets. Lineup begins at 5:15 p.m. Sirens will be used sparingly. Participation in the parade is open to emergency personnel and their families, but not the public. The public is invited to come outside and watch the parade and see Santa. The wastewater department announced that sewer jetting should be finished this week. The department is preparing for the upcoming winter, making sure all their heaters are in working order, and will be camera inspecting sewer lines on Monday, Continued on page 2
the redevelopment commission to carry forward. Some of these include: • The importance of the CR 1300N corridor and utilizing the area and the new bridge for the safety and well-being of the community. • A combined effort between the private sector and the government should be looked at as valuable partnerships. • Helping and supporting the South Shore housing project. Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation Project Director Terry Sweeney also gave an update from KEDCO, saying they are currently working on housing initiatives such as the Milford East Fields project, the Etna Green project and the South Shore project. The South Shore project was one most highlighted at the meeting due to there being a challenge trying to get water to the area. KEDCO is hoping to evaluate the project through a study with Baker Tilly to see if it makes sense economically.
Polywood Donation To WACF Gazebo See Page 11 See Public Notices On Page 11
SILVER BELLS — Silver Bells the reindeer made an appearance at the tree lighting festivities in 2022. A live reindeer can be seen again this year at Tangibles Retail and Consignment from 5-7 p.m.
North Webster tree lighting to take place Nov. 18 By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer North Webster’s annual Christmas tree lighting festivities will take place 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. A variety of activities, free food and discounts at local businesses will be found around town. At Pilcher’s Shoe Store, the North Webster Public Library will be holding story time on the stage 4:45-5 p.m. Story time will be followed a performance from the North Webster Elementary School choir, a sing-along with Clint Olson and a trumpet performance by Matt Murdock. Girl
Scout Troop 57002 will be hosting a craft table. Visitors can also create a Christmas button or make reindeer food at Pilcher’s. For activities around town, sleigh rides and pictures with Santa will be available at the fire house 4-5:30 p.m. Visit Tangibles Retail and Consignment for free chili starting at 4 p.m. and see a live reindeer 5-7 p.m. The River Coffeehouse will provide free hot chocolate from their new coffee truck and a balloon arch photo area, with Pine Outdoor Apparel featuring an Elf on the Shelf for pictures. Jill and Jennifer’s Salon Continued on page 2
Your Print
solution • Full Color Circulars/Inserts • Newsletters • Postcards • Booklets/Catalogs • Full Color Brochures • InkJet/Bulk Mailing Service • Saddle-Stitch Bindery • Newspapers • Magazines • Perfect Bind
Rodger Salinas Ext. 2432
rsalinas@the-papers.com
1-800-733-4111
206 S. Main St., Milford • themail-journal.com