Culver-Union Township Fire Department Searching for Firefighters

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Terry Wakefield told the Culver Town Council this week that he is searching for yet another firefighter. He received another resignation this month.

This is the third time he’s notified the council of the need for firefighters. His first plea to accept applications came in March when his department was down to 18 firefighters. There are only 15 on the roster at this time. He said previously that the department used to see around 23 to 25 firefighters on staff. Continue reading →

Culver Town Officials to Strictly Enforce Smoking Ban at Culver Beach

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council members addressed the issue of smoking at the Culver Town Park and beach when they met Tuesday night.

Park Superintendent Anna Campbell said the ban is difficult to enforce. She does mention to violators that smoking is prohibited, but the authority is not always met with compliance. She noted that there are several posted signs that warn residents that smoking is prohibited at the Culver Town Park and beach.  A call will be made to police officers if residents are not complying with the ordinance or if there are threatening circumstances.

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Culver Movie Theater Proposals Headed to the CRC

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council discussed the purchase of the Culver Movie Theater and received two proposals that will give the council and the Culver Redevelopment Commission a better idea of what to expect in terms of costs.

Town Manager Jonathan Leist presented proposals from the Troyer Group and SRKM that he said include plans for a public meeting to gather comments on the uses for the theater, a preliminary project budget for outlaying the capital costs for repairs on the building, a structural engineering assessment of the building, and a basic outline for a business plan with annual expenses versus revenue expenses for whatever concept may occupy the building.

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Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council will meet tonight. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will present his report which will include an update on the Stellar Communities Designation Program grant.

Council President Ginny Bess Munroe appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners last week where the county governing body agreed to support the town’s quest in becoming a stellar community. Munroe said the Town of Culver was looking to show a united front with the county to include in their finalist packet due by Aug. 25.

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Culver Movie Theater Owner Presents Proposal to Town Council

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council met in a work session Wednesday afternoon to hear information from the owner of the Culver Movie Theater in his attempt to sell the landmark to the town.

The owner, who would only be referred to as Tom, said he’s put $30,000 into the property in the installation of new sewer and water lines as well as other maintenance measures to shore up the building. He said he paid $100,000 for the property and will sell the property to the town for the amount that he’s into it which is $130,000.

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Culver Town Council to Meet for Work Session

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council will meet in a work session this afternoon to discuss the proposed theater project.

The town council previously discussed purchasing the movie theater and renovating the structure. The current owner isn’t confident that the repairs can be made within a specified budget. The council members want to be sure to have architects or local contractors evaluate the renovation needs and offer opinions on needed repairs.

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Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Looking for Firefighters

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Terry Wakefield is in need of firefighters.

He told the Culver Town Council last week that one more volunteer firefighter has left so the department is down to 17 firefighters. The department used to see around 23 to 25 firefighters on staff.

Wakefield is nearly set to hire one firefighter after the applicant passes drug testing and other requirements before hire. He previously served as a firefighter with Culver, but all of the procedures need to be followed before he is officially hired. The town council unanimously approved Wakefield’s request to move forward with testing.

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Culver Town Council Approves Culver Lake Fest Event

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council received an official permit request for the annual Culver Lake Fest event.

The annual celebration is scheduled for July 14-16 at the Culver Town Park. Town Manager Jonathan Leist explained to the council that a trolley will be taking visitors to and from the event which is a new feature this year. Residents will park at the Culver Community High School and be transported to the location of the festivities.

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Culver Town Council Approves Beach Lodge Renovation Plan Resolution

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council this week reviewed a resolution for renovations to the Culver Beach Lodge.

A Community Development Block Grant of $15,000 was awarded to the town with a local match of $3,500 for the renovations. Officials with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs have reviewed the plans and are satisfied with how the grant money will be utilized.

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Stellar Fest this Saturday in Culver

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Town of Culver is hosting a Stellar Fest this Saturday at the Culver Town Park from 10 a.m. to noon ET.

A lot of activities are packed into this two-hour event. Town Manager Jonathan Leist said Main Street designation recognition is right at the beginning of the event. Kids crafts will be offered as well as a “Choose Culver” board where residents can write down what they love about Culver. Leist added that a mock-up of a new Culver sign will be revealed and a new town logo. Stop by the Culver Farmer’s Market during the event and shop for locally grown products.

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Culver Town Council Adopts Financial Resolution to Purchase New Ambulance

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council Tuesday night reviewed a resolution outlining the terms of a financial plan to purchase a new ambulance for Culver Emergency Medical Services.

The lowest bid for a 2017 ambulance came from Medix in the amount of $127,865. The Union Township Trustee and the Town of Culver will equally split the cost of the vehicle. The township will provide $63,932.50 while $20,000 will come from this year’s EMS budget. The town will complete the funding with $43,932.50 from the General Fund.

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Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Town Council will be discussing their next steps in the path to be awarded the Stellar Communities designee during their regular business meeting tonight. The town was named a finalist in Division 2 at the end of May. The name of the winning community will be announced at the end of this summer. Culver was placed in Division 2 that recognizes towns with a population less than 5,999. The Town of Culver will be competing with the Town of Churubusco in Whitley County and the City of Union City in Randolph County.

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Culver Town Council and CRC Forming Mobile Home District Committee

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Even though the Sand Hill Farms project is moving forward, the Town of Culver and the Culver Redevelopment Commission (CRC) are keeping housing options open.

The Sand Hill Farms project is a workforce housing development project that will include a proposed 24-unit apartment building on Jefferson Street. The town council and the CRC are funding the infrastructure to the property. If the town wins the Stellar Communities designation, more funding could be available for a low-income based housing development.

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Culver Police Chief Hiring Officers

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Culver Police Chief Wayne Bean is looking to hire officers for the department.

He told the Culver Town Council during their last meeting that one officer resigned the previous day and he will replace that officer. He is already reviewing applications for another vacancy in the department. As he reviews the applications, Chief Bean said he may go ahead and hire two in this round. He may choose to re-advertise for officers to gather more applications.

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Culver Redevelopment Commission to Meet in Special Session Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Culver Redevelopment Commission (CRC) will meet today to discuss the Sand Hill Farms workforce housing.

The Culver Town Council members made their decision on two resolutions this week and the CRC is expected to discuss the same resolutions during their meeting today. The town council members voted 4-1 to approve a resolution to authorize funding of the project. A separate resolution was approved 4-1 to enter into an agreement between the Town of Culver and Sand Hill Farms, Inc. for the development of the project.

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Town of Culver to Update Website

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Town of Culver’s website will be getting a facelift.

The Culver Town Council approved a quote from Satellite Software to update the town’s website.

The quote of $1,859 will allow the company to reformat the website to a WordPress template. Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim, Town Manager Jonathan Leist and Park Superintendent Anna Campbell will be trained on how to use the program to easily update the site.

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