Open enrollment is leading students out of some smaller school districts. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation told the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday that the state is now giving more detail about where exactly students are attending school.
Hamlet Officials Consider Brush Disposal Options
Disposing of brush and yard waste is becoming a challenge for the Town of Hamlet. Street Superintendent Fred Rowe told the town council Wednesday that since the town is no longer allowed to burn the brush it collects from residents, he’ll eventually run out of places to put it.
Hamlet Town Council Discusses Potential Paving, Drainage, Lighting Improvements
The Hamlet Town Council added a few items to its wish list of improvements Wednesday. Plans are in the works to upgrade Railroad Street, as part of a future round of Community Crossings grants.
Safety Concerns Addressed at U.S. 30 Work Site But Hamlet Officials Remain Out of Loop
Hamlet Town Council Considers Possible Lighting Projects
More streetlights may soon be coming to Starke Street in Hamlet. Two years ago, the town installed decorative streetlights on the east side of the street, across from the town hall, as the first part of a four-phase project. But the town council has held off on doing additional phases to focus on other projects, such as the recent Community Crossings project farther north on Starke Street.
Hamlet Council President Urges INDOT to Address Safety Concerns at U.S. 30 Construction Site
Hamlet officials are demanding answers from INDOT, after a U.S. 30 construction project has led to a spike in accidents. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas complained that the town wasn’t told about the work ahead of time. “Legally, technically, U.S. 30 goes through town because that parcel on the northeast side of 30 is our parcel, so 30 goes through,” he explained. “The state didn’t contact us, nor did the contractor, and yet, we’ve had all these series of accidents.”
Hamlet Town Council Reports Success with New Starke Street Sidewalk
Building a sidewalk to a gas station is proving to be a good investment for the Town of Hamlet, despite some initial skepticism from local residents. That’s according to Town Council President Dave Kesvormas.
Hamlet Town Council Adopts 2019 Budget
The Hamlet Town Council formally adopted the town’s 2019 budget Wednesday. It looks pretty similar to this year’s. The total budget is just over $467,000 for 2019. About $323,000 of that would be the town’s General Fund. The Motor Vehicle Highway Fund would be budgeted at $58,200, while the Park budget would be $11,900.
Hamlet Council Decides to Hold Off on Railroad Street Grant Application until January
After two rounds of bidding, the Hamlet Town Council has decided not to pursue grant funding for Railroad Street improvements at this time. Council members voted Wednesday to reject all three paving bids and table a Community Crossings application until the January call for projects.
Potential Long-Term Care Facility, Other Development Opportunities Discussed by Hamlet Council
A long-term care facility may be looking to set up operations in Hamlet. “They’re checking with the state, a certificate of need with the State of Indiana, for a long-term care facility and an assisted living,” Town Council President Dave Kesvormas said during last week’s regular council meeting. “So I do know that.”
Hamlet Council to Allow Paving Companies to Adjust Railroad Street Project Bids
The Hamlet Town Council spent almost an hour Thursday trying to bring its proposed Railroad Street project in line with the town’s budget. The town plans to apply for a Community Crossings Grant to cover 75 percent of the cost, while the rest would likely come out of Hamlet’s Economic Development Income Tax Fund.
Hamlet Council President Hopes Stellar Designation Would Help with Perception Issues
Hamlet Town Council President Dave Kesvormas hopes a Stellar Community designation for Starke County could help make the town more welcoming of future development. During last week’s council meeting, Kesvormas said he’s not 100-percent sold on the Stellar Communities Program, but he thinks it would help put certain things in a more favorable light.
Hamlet Police Department Adds Three Reserve Officers
The 
has three new reserve officers. The town council approved the additions Wednesday. Town Marshal Clint Norem said two of them have experience as Starke County Sheriff’s Department Reserves. The third had expressed interest for some time but only recently moved to Culver from Hobart.
Sidewalk Portion of Hamlet’s Starke Street Project Nearing Completion
Hamlet’s Starke Street sidewalk extension is almost complete. The sidewalk is being installed along the west side of Starke Street from Plymouth Street north to the gas station. Engineer Lee Nagai told the town council Wednesday that Covenant Concrete had just one more section of concrete to pour.
Hamlet Officials Respond to Water Main Break at Trailer Park
Hamlet’s utility staff battled a water main break at the trailer park Wednesday. Town Council President Dave Kesvormas gave an update during Wednesday’s meeting. “From what they understand, it’s between two trailers, underneath part of a trailer,” he explained. “So they’re going to basically go around it and take the bad stuff out and go from there.”
Hamlet Officials Continue Planning for Electronic Message Board
Work continues to install an electronic message board in front of the Hamlet Town Hall. Town Council President Dave Kesvormas has found a full-color, eight-and-a-half-by-three foot LED sign, for just under $2,900.
Hamlet Fire Department Working to Resolve Siren Issues
The Hamlet-Davis Township Volunteer Fire Department is looking to have more immediate control over the town’s siren. “They have an issue about the siren going off and getting stuck, and they want to move the controls down to the fire house,” Town Council President Dave Kesvormas explained Wednesday.
Hamlet Council Adjusts Plans for Electronic Message Board
The Hamlet Town Council continues discussing the possibility of getting an electronic message board. Council President Dave Kesvormas has found a full-color, eight-and-a-half-by-three foot LED sign, for just under $2,900.
Hamlet Council Looks to Add Electronic Message Board to Town Entrance
Hamlet officials are exploring the possibility of installing an electronic message board near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Starke Street. During last week’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas said they had looked into it before, but the cost was as high as $20,000. Now, he says he’s found a much cheaper option. “I’m looking at a 102-inch-by-36-inch full-color LED programmable sign,” he said. “$2,900.”
Hamlet Plans to Seek Community Crossings Grant for Railroad Street Improvements
As the Town of Hamlet works to wrap up one Community Crossings project, town officials are now looking ahead to this year’s grant cycle. Hamlet is eligible for a 75-25 matching grant for road projects. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, members said that Railroad Street is next in line for improvements, not only because of its condition, but also the amount of traffic it handles.
