COMMUNITIES Crowds also gather on the lake’s public beach on New Year’s Eve to watch or participate in the annual Hamilton Lions Club Polar Bear Plunge. The town has received a grant from the Dekko Foundation to assist in improving the playground equipment at Gnagy Park. Some of the existing playground equipment will remain, while new ground cover and new playground equipment will be added. The new equipment will be appropriate for all children, including those with special needs. Town leaders believe the addition of the new equipment will provide more opportunities for family leisure time. Volunteers will be needed to install new ground cover and the playground equipment as a community activity. GOVERNMENT: The Hamilton Town Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Town Council members are president Mary Vail, vice president Bob Howard, Tina Bosse and Jenni Heisler. Hester Stouder is the clerk-treasurer. Brent Shull is the town manager. The official town website is hamiltonindiana.org. EDUCATION: Students attend Hamilton Community Schools at the south edge of town on S.R. 427. RECREATION: Boating, fishing and water skiing on Hamilton Lake, which borders the town, are favorite pastimes. The two-mile Fish Creek Trail links Hamilton’s Girt L. Gnagy Park to Ball Lake. Gnagy Park on Bellefountaine Road offers ball diamonds and is home to an active tennis association. HEALTH: Physician Teresa Smith has an office
on East Bellefontaine Road. Hospitals and other health services at Angola and Auburn are within easy reach. UTILITIES: Allied Waste of Bryan, Ohio, handles refuse collection. The Town of Hamilton operates its own water plant, with Justin Stouder as superintendent and Brad Haskins as assistant superintendent. Wastewater services are provided by the Hamilton Lake Conservancy District. Electricity is supplied by American Electric Power, and natural gas comes from Northern Indiana Public Service Co. POLICE: Jermey Warner is the town marshal, with deputies Jesse Torrey, Frank Baldwin and John Geyer and reserve Thomas Frederick. FIRE: The Hamilton Fire Station is at the town hall, 7760 S. Wayne St. The fire chief is Chris Manahan, and the assistant fire chief is John Jackson. Call 911 for emergencies and 488-2311 for fire department non-emergency business only. POST OFFICE: on Bellefountaine Road. POPULATION: 1,530 is the Census Bureau’s most recent estimate.
SPENCERVILLE Spencerville is known for its historic wooden covered bridge, built in 1873. It crosses the St. Joseph River just east of town. The bridge has been rebuilt and renovated several times, with the most recent completed in 2013 after a semi driver attempted to cross the bridge. The bridge is used by vehicles, horse-and-buggies and pedestrians. Each year, it is also used for a “Supper on the Bridge” event.
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GOVERNMENT: Spencerville is an unincorporated town. The Spencer Township trustee is Sue Musser, 238-4428. EDUCATION: Students attend Riverdale Elementary School in St. Joe, part of the DeKalb County Eastern Community School District. Older students attend Eastside Junior-Senior High School in Butler. RECREATION: The St. Joseph River provides boating and fishing, and the Spencerville Community Building is available for dances, receptions and other gatherings. HEALTH: DeKalb Health hospital is Auburn is about 20 minutes away. UTILITIES: The St. Joe-Spencerville Regional Sewer District provides sewage treatment. POLICE: Police protection is provided by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Call 911 for emergencies or 925-3365 for non-emergency business. FIRE: The all-volunteer Spencerville Fire Department responds with Concord Township as part of Southeast Fire. Call 911 in an emergency. POST OFFICE: 6909 S.R. 1. ACCESS: S.R. 1 and C.R. 68.
ST. JOE The neighboring communities of St. Joe and Spencerville lie along the St. Joseph River in southeastern DeKalb County. St. Joe’s website proclaims, “A great place to live and visit.” Signs entering the community welcome visitors with the message, “We pull together with community pride.” St. Joe is known for its annual Pickle Festival, which celebrates the famous products of Sechler’s Pickles, located just northeast of town. This year’s event is scheduled for July 24-26. The festival attracts visitors from around the nation. This year marks the 100th anniversary of fire protection in St. Joe. The Concord Township Fire Department is planning a celebration during the Pickle Festival. GOVERNMENT: The Town Board is comprised of David Burns, Mishelle Johnson and Tom Moody. Allison McKean is clerk-treasurer. Meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Town Hall, 102 3rd St. EDUCATION: Riverdale Elementary School is part of the DeKalb County Eastern Community School District and is located at 6127 S.R. 1. Older students attend Eastside Junior-Senior High School in Butler. RECREATION: Residents can enjoy Wild Cherry Park, the St. Joe Valley Conservation Club and the St. Mark Memorial Park on Washington Street. Another attraction is the St. Joseph River Greenway. It follows the river bank for one mile, starting behind Riverdale Elementary School. HEALTH: DeKalb Health hospital in Auburn is 15 minutes away. UTILITIES: The town provides water service. The St. Joe-Spencerville Regional Sewer District provides sewage treatment. POLICE: The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department serves St. Joe. Call 911 for emergencies or 925-3365 for non-emergencies. FIRE: Fire Chief Mike Georgi leads the all-volunteer Concord Township Fire Department, which has 20 members. Concord Township responds with
DeKalb County Community Guide • 2014 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.