The Town of Hamlet continues addressing some unsafe properties. The zoning board recently approved an order giving the owner of 200 West Davis Street until April 10 to finish tearing down a dilapidated garage. In a letter to board members, the owner felt that timeline was possible.
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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 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 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.
Continue readingThe Hamlet Zoning Board is moving ahead with the demolition of 503 South Starke Street. Last month, board members agreed to have JD Excavating remove the house for $6,800, unless the owners completed the demolition themselves. That didn’t happen by Wednesday’s deadline, although the owners said they could start work within the next two weeks.
Continue readingHamlet’s former town marshal is questioning some of the police department’s current operations. Frank Lonigro recently told the town council that he often sees Hamlet Police patrolling U.S. 30 outside the town limits, something that wasn’t allowed when he was with the department.
Continue readingHamlet officials are still sorting through the legal technicalities of getting a home built on a piece of town-owned land. The town council wants to accept sealed bids and sell the property at Lincoln and Pearl streets to a potential home-builder.
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The Hamlet Town Council continues exploring how to get a new home built on a piece of town-owned land. Last month, Council Member Brian Earnest suggested selling the lot at Lincoln and Pearl streets at a significantly reduced price to a contractor who would build a home to the town’s specifications. But after researching the matter, town officials didn’t think it would be legal to limit a potential sale to only contractors.
Continue readingA Hamlet Town Council member has a plan to get a new home built on a piece of vacant land, but finding a way to do it that’s legal and fair may be tricky. For months, council members have expressed their desire for a new home on a piece of town-owned land at Lincoln and Pearl streets.
Continue readingA lack of development at the SYSCO property continues to frustrate Hamlet officials. Beverage manufacturer Common Collabs is planning to set up operations in Knox, creating up to 80 jobs in the coming years. Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation told the Hamlet Town Council Wednesday that the company was also shown the Hamlet East Industrial Park.
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The Hamlet Town Council has signed onto an agreement outlining how the communities of the Constellation of Starke region will work together going forward, but not without some questions about the legality of some of its provisions. The inter-local agreement covers the relationship of the region’s member units during the application phase. If the region is designated a Stellar Community, it would also cover the construction and initial implementation phase lasting from 2020 to 2025.
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The Town of Hamlet may be looking to restrict on-street semi parking. Engineer Lee Nagai helped oversee the recent Railroad Street paving project. He asked the town council Wednesday whether there’s anything prohibiting trucks from parking there.
Continue readingThe Hamlet Town Council has officially voted not to hold a town election this year, due to a lack of contested races. The only candidates to run were the current office-holders: Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts and town council members Connie Bailey, Brian Earnest, and Dave Kesvormas.
Continue readingHamlet officials have agreed to hold off on condemnation proceedings on 503 South Starke Street as the owner continues to work on the home. During last week’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas noted that the sewer and water lines have been corrected and are now within code.
Continue readingThe Hamlet Zoning Board is looking at moving forward with condemnation proceedings on 503 South Starke Street. The owner had until Wednesday’s meeting to bring the house into compliance with the town’s unsafe structure ordinance.
Continue readingThe Town of Hamlet has a new street superintendent. The town council opted not to reappoint Fred Rowe to the position Wednesday, and instead promoted Street Department employee Kevin Leinbach to the position.
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The Hamlet Town Park may soon get some new playground equipment. The town council Wednesday conditionally approved the purchase of a “zip line” style ride. It lets kids hang onto a suspended handle, which then glides along a curved track.
The Town of Hamlet is moving closer to creating a new comprehensive plan. Up to 90 percent of the cost is expected to be covered by grant funding distributed by the state. In order to qualify, the town council has begun the process of updating two of its ordinances.
The Hamlet Town Council is expected to choose a contractor for its Railroad Street project tonight. The project would upgrade the road west of Starke Street with wider pavement, possibly new sidewalks, and other improvements. Last week, the town council opened bids from three companies. They ranged from just over $318,000 to nearly $344,000 for the entire project, but the town has the option to scale it back.
