The Silver Lake Town Council Wednesday heard results from an environmental study done on the former elementary school.
The council unanimously decided to demolish the old school using an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant. Part of the necessary requirements to tear the building down included a Phase I environmental study that was conducted at the end of August, Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley said.
Conley said the report shows that no hazardous materials were found on the property’s grounds but asbestos were found inside around the building’s windows and around an upstairs chalkboard. The town will have to do asbestos remediation before the demolition.
Also Wednesday, the council decided on alternate plans for Halloween due to COVID-19. Instead of the annual fest for kids at Silver Lake fire house 2, there will now be festivities from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in Memory Park. The costume competition put on by the Lions Club is still planned to go on, but when and where has not been confirmed.
The council also unanimously approved to switch town employees’ cell phone service to AT&T First Net, which will not only save the town $60 per month but also provide first responders with a stronger signal, Conley said.
A public hearing for the 2021 budget will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Silver Lake Lion’s Club building, 108 Harrison St., to be immediately followed by the monthly council meeting.
