The Town of Hamlet is looking at solidifying its housing development plans. Nearly two years after Town Council President Dave Kesvormas made his “22 by ‘22” goal for new home construction, he presented a resolution proposing specific incentives during Wednesday’s zoning board meeting.
Continue readingHamlet officials are exploring their options, when it comes to building inspections. The town has been without a building inspector for years, and with new home construction taking place, Town Council Member Brian Earnest says it’s time to fix that.
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Hamlet’s lack of building inspections continues to draw concerns, but how to move forward was a topic of some debate during the last town council meeting. Fire Chief Brad Hazelton told council members that, until recently, he was unaware that new buildings are not formally inspected.
Continue readingHamlet’s newest retail business opens to customers today, but town council members still faced criticism Wednesday for not doing more to encourage development. Council President Dave Kesvormas announced that Dollar General opens today.
Continue readingIf more homes are going to be built in Hamlet, someone should actually be inspecting them like an inspector from foundation inspection Kansas City, according to Town Council Member Brian Earnest.
Continue readingThe Town of Hamlet has apparently fallen behind in updating its wellhead protection plan. Water Operator Jason Cox recently told the town council that the town got a letter from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, notifying them of a violation.
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Two Starke County towns are looking to upgrade their Christmas decorations. The North Judson Town Council Monday approved the third and final payment to Temple Display for the 42 light pole decorations it purchased in 2019. Now, town officials are ready to get more.
Continue readingThe Hamlet Police Department is working on adding new reserve officers. Town Marshal Clint Norem told the town council last week that one of his reserves has left the force, but about five others have expressed interest.
Continue readingHamlet town employees are getting a three-percent pay raise. The 2021 salary ordinance was approved by the town council Wednesday.
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The Town of Hamlet is moving forward with a grant application for future upgrades to Indiana Avenue/Starke County Road 500 North. The town is coordinating with the Starke County Highway Department to apply for funding to widen and resurface the road from U.S. 35, through town, and to County Road 750 East.
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Hamlet and North Judson residents once again have the chance to win some extra money while getting their communities into the holiday spirit. The town councils recently finalized plans for their holiday decorating contests.
Continue readingHamlet Town Hall is closing to the public starting Wednesday. Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts says the town has chosen to follow suit with Knox and North Judson.
Continue readingNow that Starke County is taking legal action against the owners of the SYSCO property, Hamlet Town Council President Dave Kesvormas wants the town to join in. The complaint filed by the county in Starke Circuit Court accuses the owners of “unjust enrichment,” after the county invested at least $1.6 million in site improvements with the understanding that a new facility would be built, bringing about 300 jobs.
Continue readingThe SYSCO property near Hamlet is set to go up for auction tomorrow, but the town’s ability to control what goes there may be limited. The discussion came up during a recent town council meeting, after local landowner Lee Nagai apparently asked county officials what steps would be required to build a hog farm there.
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After more than two years of planning and discussion, the Town of Hamlet now has an electronic message board. It’s been installed in front of the town hall, near the corner of Starke and Pearl streets.
Continue readingA major route to Hamlet could be getting an upgrade, but not for another five years. The town council recently agreed to team up with the Starke County Highway Department to apply for funding to widen and resurface County Road 500 North/Indiana Avenue from U.S. 35 to County Road 750 East.
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Efforts to bring murals, artisan markets, and a scale model of the solar system to Starke County have gotten a boost, thanks to the Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VII program. The Starke County Community Foundation says it’s gotten a $100,000 Community Leadership Grant. That money will be used to promote a number of arts and cultural opportunities the foundation is pursuing along with Constellation of Starke.
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Six local fire departments will get a collective $800,000 worth of new equipment, thanks to a federal grant. They were awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the purchase of 125 new air packs, plus a spare bottle for each, according to Walkerton Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Hamilton.
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The Town of Hamlet’s 2021 budget was adopted by the town council Wednesday. “Adopted budget is $459,065,” said Council President Dave Kesvormas. “Adopted tax levy is $272,563. Adopted tax rate is 2.1840.”
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The Town of Hamlet’s 2021 budget will be up for the town council’s final adoption tonight. The proposal calls for a total budget of just over $459,000, including a General Fund of more than $322,000.
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