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.
Hamlet Town Council Approves Purchase of Wastewater Testing Equipment, Snowblower
The Town of Hamlet is upgrading some of its equipment. The town council Wednesday approved the purchase of a DR 3900 spectrophotometer for the town’s wastewater plant for about $4,600. Water and Street Superintendent Fred Rowe said its main purpose will be to test for ammonia. “It is expensive now, but it’ll save you money in the long run,” he said.
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.
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Reviews This Year’s Manufacturers Day Event
Almost 400 middle and high school students took part in the Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s Manufacturers Day events last week. That’s according to Special Projects Coordinator Ron Gifford.
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 to Consider Revised Bids for Railroad Street Improvements, Adopt 2019 Budget
The Hamlet Town Council will make a second attempt tonight at choosing a contractor for Railroad Street improvements. Council members decided last week to give the three bidders a chance to revise their estimates, after the council decided to cut sidewalk work and tree removal out of the project. The town plans to apply for a Community Crossings grant to cover 75 percent of the cost, but the application has to be turned in by Friday.
Starke County School Officials, Emergency Personnel Take Part in Active Shooter Tabletop Exercise
Starke County’s educators and first responders recently tested how they’d react to an active shooter situation. Knox Elementary School Principal Michelle Tarnow reviewed this month’s tabletop exercise with the school board last week.
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.”
Mint Opportunities Explored in Starke County
No Major Changes Proposed for 2019 Hamlet Budget
The Hamlet Town Council reviewed its 2019 budget proposal last week. It calls for a total budget of just over $467,000. 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. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts noted that there are no major changes from the 2018 budget.
Hamlet Council Arranges Financing for Road Work to be Done by County Highway Department
The Hamlet Town Council approved funding arrangements Wednesday for some upcoming street repairs. Council member Brian Earnest said the town’s identified four sections of road in need of work, with the repairs to be done by the Starke County Highway Department. “The roads that they found were Maple Street from Plymouth Street to Oak Street, Madison Street from Hamlet to Main, Davis Street from Division to Lincoln, and Main Street from Terry to Madison. Those were the four roads,” he said. Continue reading
Starke County Awarded Broadband Readiness Planning Grant
Starke County is getting $50,000 to develop ways to expand broadband access. Starke and Marshall counties were among five rural Indiana communities awarded a Broadband Readiness Planning Grant.
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.
