SILVER LAKE — Silver Lake is $30,404.75 richer thanks to funding awarded to the county which, in turn, dispersed it among various communities.

The funds come with stipulations, Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley explained during the Wednesday evening, May 18, regular town council meeting. First, 75 percent must be put toward street work. The rest can be used as the town sees fit.

The Indiana State Board of Accounts mandates the money must be put into a special fund. Conley noted that, if it is to be used this year, it will be treated as an additional appropriation. There are no definite plans yet as to how the town wishes to use the money.

One-way streets were also a hot topic. Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter recommended making Pearson Boulevard and Myrtle Glen Road two-way to Shutt Avenue. Shutt would remain one way but the direction would be reversed.

The thinking behind this, Hollopeter said, is a hill on Shutt. He expressed concern about kids playing at the bottom and cars coming down. He also said reversing the direction would help lake accessibility, as vehicles with boat trailers could back onto Shutt.

Concerns came up about whether mailboxes would need to be moved to the other side of the street or if an exception would be made for the mail carrier. The council plans to look into the issue. Hollopeter said the town already has new one-way signs. He added the Silver Lake Police Department would wait 30 days before imposing fines, to give people time to get used to the new direction.

Conley added the 30 days would not start until she had advertised the changes, which will be done next month.

Hollopeter presented a letter from an attorney representing the owner of the old Silver Lake school building asking for an abatement on fines Hollopeter has been imposing. The building, he said, is dilapidated and poses a danger. It stands next to a public playground and near a school bus stop.

The council agreed to work with the owner’s attorney to try and come up with a solution. For further details, see today’s related story.

A local resident told the council he plans to open an appointment-only firearms business in his home and, eventually, a regular storefront downtown. He added that the latest security measures will be employed and the firearms will not be made easily accessible. Hollopeter said he has no problem with the idea, which will be proposed to the county board of zoning at an upcoming meeting.

Questions arose over finding a council member to take Gale Owens’s place. Conley explained the Democratic committee person will seek a Democrat to fill the spot and, if none is found, it will then be opened up to others interested. If two or more Democrats express interest in the position, a town convention will be held and precinct committee members will decide.

Other News

• The council approved Gaunt and Son Asphalt to reseal the fire department parking lot at $3,375.
• A bid was received for the sidewalk only on the SR 15 bridge. The council decided to give other companies a chance to bid.
• The council approved Scott’s Lawn and Garden to do mowing at $30 per hour.