Residents Urge Enforcement Of Winona Trash Ordinanace
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Town authorities will step up their enforcement of ordinances covering trash and weeds in residential areas after receiving complaints at Tuesday's town council meeting.
Several residents of 14th Street in Winona Lake complained of neighbors who accumulate trash and furniture in their yards, and asked if any town ordinances are being violated.
"It's a fine line," said town council president Brent Wilcoxson. "Unless there is a health hazard, there are no ordinances governing furniture in yards."
However, town ordinances do govern trash, the town's attorney, Jim Walmer, said.
"We have ordinances regarding trash right now. Use them and enforce it," he said.
The residents who complained said they were afraid that if the practices are not stopped, they will get progressively worse.
"What I can promise you is that we'll have the proper authorities go out and look at the properties, and that includes the police and the building inspector," Wilcoxson said.
The council also said that if the properties in question are rentals, the neighbors should call the landlords every time there is a problem.
Larry Long, the town's engineer, presented the final design for streets and curbs on the island project. The council voted to approve installing wider curbing at corners to prevent parking up to the ends of streets and to make a wider turning radius.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved buying eight pagers for the police department. The policy will be reviewed at the end of the year.
• Voted not to allow leaf burning within city limits.
• Asked for more guidelines on a proposal to allow small roofing jobs to be completed without requiring permits.
• Decided not to accept Grace College's offer regarding McKee Courts on the island. The college offered the property to the town if the town would be responsible for demolishing the buildings on the property. Because of asbestos in some of the buildings, however, demolition costs would run between $20,000 and $25,000, which the council said could be better spent elsewhere.
The council will hold an executive session at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23 to discuss personnel. The next public meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Sept. 24 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
WINONA LAKE - Town authorities will step up their enforcement of ordinances covering trash and weeds in residential areas after receiving complaints at Tuesday's town council meeting.
Several residents of 14th Street in Winona Lake complained of neighbors who accumulate trash and furniture in their yards, and asked if any town ordinances are being violated.
"It's a fine line," said town council president Brent Wilcoxson. "Unless there is a health hazard, there are no ordinances governing furniture in yards."
However, town ordinances do govern trash, the town's attorney, Jim Walmer, said.
"We have ordinances regarding trash right now. Use them and enforce it," he said.
The residents who complained said they were afraid that if the practices are not stopped, they will get progressively worse.
"What I can promise you is that we'll have the proper authorities go out and look at the properties, and that includes the police and the building inspector," Wilcoxson said.
The council also said that if the properties in question are rentals, the neighbors should call the landlords every time there is a problem.
Larry Long, the town's engineer, presented the final design for streets and curbs on the island project. The council voted to approve installing wider curbing at corners to prevent parking up to the ends of streets and to make a wider turning radius.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved buying eight pagers for the police department. The policy will be reviewed at the end of the year.
• Voted not to allow leaf burning within city limits.
• Asked for more guidelines on a proposal to allow small roofing jobs to be completed without requiring permits.
• Decided not to accept Grace College's offer regarding McKee Courts on the island. The college offered the property to the town if the town would be responsible for demolishing the buildings on the property. Because of asbestos in some of the buildings, however, demolition costs would run between $20,000 and $25,000, which the council said could be better spent elsewhere.
The council will hold an executive session at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23 to discuss personnel. The next public meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Sept. 24 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]