Flap Over Fence Back Before Winona Lake Town Council
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Garrett Howell attended the town council meeting Tuesday, fence permit in hand.
During the May 25 meeting, the council discussed the new chain link fence placement at Packerton Road and CR 225, where Howell is developing a storage unit facility. The fence, in combination with a utility pole, "seems" to block a driver's view while approaching the intersection.
Howell said he met with building commissioner Dick Leaf several times regarding the fence, which is five feet from the property line. Leaf said both town marshal Malcolm Gilbert and public works superintendent Pete O'Connell went to the site and approved it.
"I crossed my 't's' and we talked abut it," Howell said to Leaf. "You approved it." He estimated a $2,000 cost to move the fence back farther because the poles couldn't be reused.
Councilman David Delp said in his opinion the intersection is dangerous.
Council president Jerry Clevenger said he didn't think it was a problem. The intersection has a two-way stop on CR 225E.
Gilbert suggested the whole problem could be resolved with a four-way stop.
Town coordinator Craig Allebach suggested three options, which he will look into: that the REMC pole be moved, that a four-way stop be installed or that the fence be moved back.
"We're not faulting you," Allebach said to Howell. "There used to be a field there and a lot of 'California stops.' Now people have to conscientiously pull up and look both ways, the way it's supposed to be."
Town attorney Jim Walmer advised Howell he could be liable for any accident occurring at the intersection if the fence was considered a factor.
The board approved a housing authority recommendation to reduce the Walters housing loan to $7,150 to clear out a grant stemming from 2000.
Town clerk Retha Hicks said the property is for sale but she didn't know if closing had occurred. Dan Harstine appeared at the May 25 meeting and said there was no lien on the property. Hicks said there was a lien of $21,000, which is now reduced.
The board also:
• Reduced the sewer tap fee to $100 as requested by Grace Village because seven lines from two housing units could be inspected at one time. The full price for a sewer tap-in fee is $200.
Councilman Jeff Carroll abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
• Took a bid from Ameri-Waste for trash and recycling service under advisement.
• Extended the bidding period for insurance quotes.
• Approved several resolutions: one (2004-6-2) to exchange property with Warsaw. The town will pay $1 in exchange for a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria; one (2004-6-3) authorizing the clerk-treasurer to transact business by electronic funds transfer; and one (2004-6-1) authorizing the clerk-treasurer to deposit, invest and reinvest funds in local financial institutions designated as depositories.
• Heard town events were: registration this week for park programs; June 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Billy Sunday Festival; June 14 the IPGA Northern Open at Stonehenge Golf Club; June 20 to July 18, MasterWorks Festival; June 24, noon, luncheon at the Senior Center; June 26, 8 a.m., Optimist Triathlon at Winona Lake Park; and July 3, the Fourth of July celebration, fireworks and the Firecracker 5K.
Board members are: Jerry Clevenger, John Boal, Jeff Carroll, David Delp and Rolly Ortega. Boal was absent. [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - Garrett Howell attended the town council meeting Tuesday, fence permit in hand.
During the May 25 meeting, the council discussed the new chain link fence placement at Packerton Road and CR 225, where Howell is developing a storage unit facility. The fence, in combination with a utility pole, "seems" to block a driver's view while approaching the intersection.
Howell said he met with building commissioner Dick Leaf several times regarding the fence, which is five feet from the property line. Leaf said both town marshal Malcolm Gilbert and public works superintendent Pete O'Connell went to the site and approved it.
"I crossed my 't's' and we talked abut it," Howell said to Leaf. "You approved it." He estimated a $2,000 cost to move the fence back farther because the poles couldn't be reused.
Councilman David Delp said in his opinion the intersection is dangerous.
Council president Jerry Clevenger said he didn't think it was a problem. The intersection has a two-way stop on CR 225E.
Gilbert suggested the whole problem could be resolved with a four-way stop.
Town coordinator Craig Allebach suggested three options, which he will look into: that the REMC pole be moved, that a four-way stop be installed or that the fence be moved back.
"We're not faulting you," Allebach said to Howell. "There used to be a field there and a lot of 'California stops.' Now people have to conscientiously pull up and look both ways, the way it's supposed to be."
Town attorney Jim Walmer advised Howell he could be liable for any accident occurring at the intersection if the fence was considered a factor.
The board approved a housing authority recommendation to reduce the Walters housing loan to $7,150 to clear out a grant stemming from 2000.
Town clerk Retha Hicks said the property is for sale but she didn't know if closing had occurred. Dan Harstine appeared at the May 25 meeting and said there was no lien on the property. Hicks said there was a lien of $21,000, which is now reduced.
The board also:
• Reduced the sewer tap fee to $100 as requested by Grace Village because seven lines from two housing units could be inspected at one time. The full price for a sewer tap-in fee is $200.
Councilman Jeff Carroll abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
• Took a bid from Ameri-Waste for trash and recycling service under advisement.
• Extended the bidding period for insurance quotes.
• Approved several resolutions: one (2004-6-2) to exchange property with Warsaw. The town will pay $1 in exchange for a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria; one (2004-6-3) authorizing the clerk-treasurer to transact business by electronic funds transfer; and one (2004-6-1) authorizing the clerk-treasurer to deposit, invest and reinvest funds in local financial institutions designated as depositories.
• Heard town events were: registration this week for park programs; June 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Billy Sunday Festival; June 14 the IPGA Northern Open at Stonehenge Golf Club; June 20 to July 18, MasterWorks Festival; June 24, noon, luncheon at the Senior Center; June 26, 8 a.m., Optimist Triathlon at Winona Lake Park; and July 3, the Fourth of July celebration, fireworks and the Firecracker 5K.
Board members are: Jerry Clevenger, John Boal, Jeff Carroll, David Delp and Rolly Ortega. Boal was absent. [[In-content Ad]]