Those involved in Starke County’s mint industry got together earlier this month to exchange ideas. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation discussed the event with the Hamlet Town Council last week.
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.
Hamlet Officials Urge Residents Not to Flush Wipes Down the Toilet
Don’t flush wipes down the toilet. That’s the message Hamlet officials shared during last week’s town council meeting. “There’s the baby wipes and the furniture polish wipes and the Clorox wipes. All that stuff is going down the toilets,” said Water and Street Superintendent Fred Rowe.
Hamlet Schedules Town-Wide Yard Sale
Hamlet’s town-wide yard sale is less than a week away. It will take place Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18, to coincide with the Yellowstone Trail Fest. Continue reading
Sidewalk Installation Underway, As Hamlet’s Starke Street Project Continues
Hamlet’s Starke Street improvement project continues. Now that the paving work is done, a sidewalk is being installed along the west side of Starke Street from Plymouth Street north to the gas station.
Hamlet Officials Looking to Bring More Activities to Town Park
The Hamlet Park Board tossed around some ideas for future park activities during last week’s meeting. A proposal to add some sort of summer camp was brought up. The Starke County Fairgrounds would be available during the month of June. Camp activities could also be held in the Town Park.
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.”
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Discusses Projected Population Loss
Starke County’s projected population decline continues to draw concerns from local officials.
EZ Blockchain Seeks Office Space, As Hamlet Data Center Nears Completion
EZ Blockchain is a step closer to setting up operations near Hamlet. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation gave an update on the new data center to the Hamlet Town Council last week. “I think they’ve laid the cement,” he said. “I think they have the units. If they’re not there yet, they’re going to be.” Continue reading
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.
Paving Portion of Hamlet’s Starke Street Project Wrapping Up, Sidewalk Work to Start Soon
The paving portion of Hamlet’s Starke Street project is essentially complete. Walsh & Kelly rebuilt the road from Plymouth Street to U.S. 30, making drainage improvements in the process. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas said the street looks really good. It was also mentioned that no drainage issues were noticed the last time it rained.
