Hamlet Town Marshal Clint Norem presented the police department’s 2017 year-end report to the town council Wednesday. Next to traffic stops, the greatest number of calls were animal complaints. “We’ve issued several citations this year that related to animals,” Norem explained. Continue reading
Hamlet Council Seeking Additional Bids for Trash, Recycling Pickup
The Hamlet Town Council wants to explore its options before renewing its garbage and recycling contract.
Hamlet Boil Order Lifted
Hamlet’s drinking water is once again back to normal. The town’s water customers were under a boil order for four days, before it was lifted Wednesday afternoon.
Hamlet Council Approves 2018 Salary Ordinance, Water and Sewer Budgets
The Hamlet Town Council approved the town’s 2018 salary ordinance last week. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts said no changes are planned, until the town’s budget is finalized by the state.
Hamlet Town Council Approves Year-End Budget Transfers
The Hamlet Town Council has approved several budget transfers to close out 2017. As each year’s budget comes to a close, local governments typically look for leftover money in various line items and use it to balance out shortfalls in other parts of the budget.
Yellowstone Trail Fest May Set Up Beer Garden in Hamlet Town Park
The Yellowstone Trail Fest will be able to add a beer garden to next year’s festival. Back in October, organizers approached the Hamlet Town Council to ask about placing a beer garden in the town park.
Hamlet Schedules Decorating Contest, 2018 Town Holidays
Hamlet residents have a week to get ready for this year’s decorating contest. Judging will take place Saturday, December 23 between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts announced the date of the contest during Wednesday’s town council meeting.
Hamlet Officials Report Little Progress in Starke Street Railroad Crossing Discussions
Culvert Upgrades to Begin Soon, Ahead of Starke Street Project
Preliminary work is set to get underway for Hamlet’s Starke Street improvement project. Engineer Lee Nagai gave an update to the town council Wednesday. He’s been working with Starke County Surveyor Bill Crase to extend the culvert at Benninghoff Ditch. Continue reading
Hamlet Park Board Schedules Tree Lighting Ceremony, Discusses Decorating Contest
The Town of Hamlet is getting into the Christmas spirit. The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree will take place Friday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m., according to Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts.
SCEDF Continues Working with Railroad to Improve Hamlet Railroad Crossing
A rough railroad crossing in Hamlet continues to draw the attention of economic development officials. The town council has been complaining about the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern’s Starke Street crossing for years. Last month, Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver offered to speak to railroad officials, but the town didn’t get an immediate response.
This week, Weaver told council members that he’s still working with the railroad’s parent company, but he needs to get all the details straight. “I’m in communication with the Genesee & Wyoming railroad. They like to know exactly who you had conversation with, so we can pin it down, and I need to verify the absolute nature of the complaint. It’s a rough crossing right?” Continue reading
Hamlet Council Approves Purchase of Truck for Street Department
Hamlet’s Street Department is getting a new truck. The town council voted Wednesday to buy a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD with a dump bed from Schepel Buick GMC in Merrillville. The total cost is $41,351. However, council members decided to purchase a snow plow for the truck separately.
Gary Poppins Delays Opening Until 2018
Snack food producer Gary Poppins is moving closer to starting operations in the former Stelrema building north of Knox. But Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver now says it probably won’t happen until 2018. Continue reading
Concerns Remain with Hamlet Railroad Crossing
The Hamlet Town Council is once again calling for repairs to the Starke Street railroad crossing. During Wednesday’s meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas said the crossing continues to get worse. Continue reading
Financial Arrangements for Vehicle Purchases Approved by Hamlet Council
The Town of Hamlet is moving ahead with a few vehicle purchases. Last month, the town council approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer Utility from Best Ford in Knox for just under $30,000. On Wednesday, council members passed a resolution formally approving the financing.
Plans Moving Ahead for Starke Street Upgrades in Hamlet
The Hamlet Town Council is nearly ready to award quotes for over $200,000 in improvements to Starke Street. Plans call for the road to be rebuilt from Plymouth Street north to U.S. 30. The work will include drainage improvements and a new sidewalk along the west side of the road.
Starke County U.S. 30 Planning Committee to Hold First Meeting Tonight
Potential upgrades to U.S. 30 will be discussed this evening by a group of local stakeholders. The Indiana Department of Transportation may consider upgrading the highway to freeway standards in the coming decade. Starke County has assembled a group of people who’d be impacted by the change, to come up with some recommendations for INDOT to consider.
Gary Poppins Still Expected to Move into Stelrema Building Next Month
Snack food producer Gary Poppins is still expected to move into the former Stelrema building north of Knox by the end of this year.
Yellowstone Trail Fest Seeks Site for Beer Garden
Next year’s Yellowstone Trail Fest may include a beer garden. Festival President Larry Jernas discussed the idea with the Hamlet Town Council last week. He said a beer garden would not be allowed at the Starke County Fairgrounds, where most Yellowstone Trail Fest activities take place, so organizers are looking for another site nearby.
Hamlet Town Council Adopts 2018 Budget
The Hamlet Town Council has formally adopted the town’s 2018 budget. It calls for a General Fund of more than $321,000 and a Motor Vehicle Highway Fund of just under $60,000, with a total budget of just over $468,000.
