SILVER LAKE - At Wednesday night's meeting, the Silver Lake Town Council approved a $55,000 contribution toward the purchase of a new rescue truck for the Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
In a presentation to the council, Fire Chief John Conley requested $55,000 from the town and $65,000 from the township in order to place a $120,000 offer. The 2008 truck, a Spartan Chassis Rescue 1 with 10,756 miles, is listed for $150,000.
The new rescue truck does not come with a pump so Conley is pursuing a compressed air foam system, or CAFS, as an alternative. The CAFS would cost approximately $10,000.
Cori Humes, of the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau, asked the council if they could install Clearly Kosciusko signs in Silver Lake. The council agreed to place two signs, likely on Dixie Drive and Sycamore Street.
Tyler Coffel, of Baker Tilly, a financial consulting firm, reported on the fund balances for the water and sewer utility. Coffel suggested rate increases for both utilities. Even with a 22.5% rate increase on the sewer utility, the rate would be $34.56, which is below the state average of $45.18.
The council reviewed an ordinance allowing residential chickens within town limits on first reading. The ordinance would give chicken owners the approval to have six hens per household in Silver Lake, although a variance would still be required from the Kosciusko Board of Zoning Appeals.
The council also opened trash bids from Borden, Apex and Stafford. Stafford had the lowest bid at $52,974.12 per year for 412 residents' weekly pickup. The bid will be awarded in April.
In other business:
• The council is using $261,500 in K21 grant funding to purchase new playground equipment for Indian Trail and Rambler Park.
• The fire department had eight runs: three fires, one mutual aid assist and four medical assists in February.
