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Published: May 09, 2008 11:56 am
Puro’s hiring official
By Dave Martin
Correspondent
SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — Shipshewana Town Council members Thursday supported the deal ironed out May 2 between council president Roger Yoder and Mike Puro that makes Goshen’s current redevelopment director the fourth town manager in Shipshewana history.
Now that he is officially hired to replace current Town Manager Bill Boyer, Puro will begin his new duties in Shipshewana on May 19, according to Yoder.
Boyer, on the other hand, will participate in his final council meeting at the next meeting at 6 p.m. May 22.
Several years ago, after having served two full terms and a portion of a third as mayor of Goshen, Puro was then appointed as manager of the Indiana Toll Road.
“Shipshewana is a great, great community,” Puro told the audience at Thursday’s council meeting.
After remarking about how warmly the community embraced him at last weekend’s MayFest celebration in Shipshewana, Puro added, “It’s been a real nice start, and I certainly look forward to beginning.”
Following an introduction of Puro at the council meeting, the panel voted to amend Shipshewana’s wage and salary ordinance to set Puro’s annual salary at $65,500.
Boyer announced his resignation on April 10 to accept the position of Angola city engineer, a position he had held for nine and a half years prior to coming to Shipshewana two years ago.
He said he was taking the Angola offer because it was higher pay, and his current commute to Shipshewana would be cut drastically. Boyer still resides in Angola.
Street repair
The council took under advisement the lone bid received for a proposed project to repair tracks worn into the concrete on East Middlebury Street by horses and horse-drawn buggies.
Boyer said that five companies picked up bid packets, but only Selge Construction of Niles, Mich., submitted a bid.
Selge bid $63,820 for section one, $33,390 for section two, $32,722 for section three and $31,610 for the fourth section of East Middlebury Street to be addressed.
The grand total of the entire project is $161,542, Boyer said, adding that he believed the engineering estimate was a total of $125,000.
The council directed its town engineer to make a recommendation on the bid at the next council meeting.
Open positions
In other business, the panel authorized a search committee to negotiate with a finalist for the vacant superintendent of grounds and maintenance position and a finalist for a new position of utility swingman.
Yoder expressed appreciation to residents, council members and town officials for recently volunteering to assemble new metal bleachers for the baseball diamonds at the town park.
Town Clerk/Treasurer Ruth Ann Downey reminded the audience that spring cleanup will be held May 16 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and May 17 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The drop-off point will be at the compost site of the wastewater treatment plant. Wet paint, oil, chemicals and appliances containing freon will be banned. A fee will be assessed for tires deposited.
Only Shipshewana residents may drop off materials and must bring a utility bill as proof of residence. Call the town hall at 768-4743 for free pickup of a large item.
Downey also announced that town-wide garage sales will be held today and Saturday. The cost to residents for a garage sale permit is $1.
Park Board member Marlynn Burr declared that large signs are available for advertisements at the baseball diamonds to raise funds for the park board. Each sign would cost advertisers $500, with $404 of that going to the park board.
Yoder announced that after the next council meeting, from approximately 6:45 p.m. to 7 p.m., the council will hold a farewell party for Boyer at the town hall on North Morton Street. The public is invited to a time of fellowship and free cookies, coffee and punch.
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