The Independent-News, Volume 122, Number 4, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 6 June 1996 — Page 1

VOLUME 122; NUMBER 4

Walkerton Town Council Minutes CALL TO ORDER The Walkerton Town Council met on May 20, 1996 with 20 people present. ROLL CALL The following Council members were present: Gene Reese, Walter Heil, Randy Hoover, Gordon Hartsell and Gregory Williams. Kathryn Chrapliwy, clerk-treasurer and Fred Jones, town attorney, were also present. MINUTES The minutes of the May 6th meeting were corrected to read “Council member Hoover will contact one of the EMTs to find out just what needs to be done in the ambulance bay.” The minutes were then approved as corrected by general consent of the members. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS Fire Dept.-Dill Fire chief Larry Dill presented his monthly report to the council. There were no questions regarding the report. Dill asked if the town attorney would prepare a waiver for people to sign when their Carbon Monoxide Detector went off and they were asked to evacuate their homes. Most people do not want to leave their homes when the fire department asked that they do so. The attorney said that it would be better to have prepared instructions to give to the people and then note the date and time that the instructions were given out. Dill announced that the new fire truck would be delivered around October. Change Order No. 1 was presented with several changes on it bringing the price to $198,917.00. The clerk-treasurer asked for signatures on the change order and Dill said that the change order had already been signed and sent back. Council member Reese asked about the proper procedures to follow regarding change orders. It was determined that all change orders needed to be signed by the council and not

INDEPENDENT NE WS

department heads. Reese made a motion to accept change order No. 1 on the fire truck. The amount of the change order was $3,106 bringing the total price to $198,917. Hartsell seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 5-0 vote. The clerk-treasurer asked for some guidance on how to proceed in obtaining the money to purchase the fire truck. Williams asked the attorney about borrowing from the town’s funds to pay for the fire truck, the attorney said he would have an answer to that question at the next council meeting. It was then determined that the clerk should inquire at the local bank about terms and interest rate on such a loan. Dill asked about speeding up the plans on the new addition to the Fire Station. Monies have been set aside for the addition from the CEDIT Fund in the year 1998, however, inflation will set the cost up too high if the project is postponed until that time. The council is going to look into other alternatives. Hoover made a motion for the fire department to put the bids out for advertising on the addition, seconded by Hartsell and the motion passed with a 5-0 vote. Street & Wastewater Zehner In reference to alleys surrounding the Little League Park: Mr. Jeff Zehner presented some new maps that he obtained from Mr. Becker indicating the surrounding properties and alleys in this particular vicinity. The neighboring property owners have a dispute over the latest survey that the town had done and Mr. Zehner needed some guidance over how to proceed in that area. Attorney Jones offered his explanation as to the different options the town might take in handling this matter. It was then suggested that because laying stone on the alleys would not be considered a permanent improvement perhaps this would be the better approach to the situation. Hartsell made a motion to allow Zehber to talk to the property owners and inform them that he (Continued on Page 3)

WALKERTON, INDIANA

Turn A Kid Onto Fishing At Potato Creek State Park Sat., June Bth The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will conduct its second annual “Turn A Kid On To Fishing” program, on Saturday, June Bth. The program will be held at Potato Creek State Park,

North Liberty, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and consist of a short session of fishing and safety instruction followed by a two-hour fishing derby. The derby is for children ages two to 14. The child in each of three age categories catching the longest fish at the site will receive a prize and a certificate from Governor Evan Bayh. Each participant will receive a supply of fishing related surprises and be entered for door prizes. A limited amount of loaner equipment will be available but children who have their own fishing gear are encouraged to bring it. Bait will be provided. All fishing will be from the bank. Anglers needing special physical accommodations are encouraged to call ahead. “Turn A Kid On To Fishing” is held in conjunction with National Fishing Week and Indiana’s Free Fishing Weekend. No fishing license is required in Indiana during this weekend.

Hoosiers To See Refunds io ' Soon From BMV^ Hoosier motorists should soon see the benefits of the recently approved auto excise tax cut, as well as improvements to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles information system. Starting July Ist, those paying auto excise taxes will see their bill cut in half after the Indiana General Assembly approved the largest tax cut in Hoosier history. Because bills through the end of June I had already been prepared • by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, those car owners paying their excise taxes before July Ist will receive a refund. Those refunds will be in the mail by September Ist. In addition to the tax cuts, motorists should see improvements in the phone system at the BMV. In early May the BMV Administration Department imnplemented a new telecommunications system aimed at better serving those calling for information.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1996

FISH SALE The LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District is now holding its annual Fish Sale fundraiser. , Several species of fish are offered to stock your ponds: fathead minnows, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish and channel catfish, in two different sizes. Orders are now being taken with forms available by calling 362-6633. The pick-up date is Wednesday, June 19. This service of the SWCD raises funds for the education program. NOTICE The Walkerton Town Council is looking for a Building Inspector. Anyone interested, in the job needs to send a resume to the Clerk-Treasurer’s office, 510 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, IN 46574. 2tj6 SPORTS NEWS On Saturday, June 8, at 9 a.m. is the golf regional to be held in LaPorte and at 11:00 a.m. is the baseball regional to be held at Plymouth. Buckle Up!

35* PER COPY

Booth Space Available For 4th Os July The Walkerton Friends of the 4th are once again offering booth space for all non-profit organizations during the 4th of July Festivities. There is no charge for the space, but a donation would be appreciated. For additional information call Brenda Ludwig at 586-9622 evenings or 3622443 during the day. VETERANS BENEFITS INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE 24 HOURS The Indianapolis VA Regional Office announces a new telephone assistance service for veterans and their families. The service will be available 24-hour a day, 7 days a week. This is a touch-tone telephone service that answers the most frequently asked benefit questions. In addition, consumers can request forms or pamphlets which are mailed within 24-hours. This new system will be activated beginning June Ist. The public can access the system from anywhere in Indiana by calling 1-800-827-1000. Calls to this number are toll free. Ricardo Randle, Veterans Services Officer at the Regional Office, was quoted as saying this state of the art system will improve consumer access to VA benefits information. He said telephone activity reports show that Hoosier veterans often call VA after normal business hours seeking information assistance. The new system will allow VA to accommodate everybody that seeks its services, day or night! OLD PHOTOS NEEDED Please submit your old photos of the area, whether it be of Koontz Lake, Walkerton or North Liberty, we are always happy to see them and hope that we can use them in our paper from time to time. Deadline For Copy Is At 12 Noon On Tuesdays!