Treatment plant study OK'd
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Faced with a proposed 60 percent sewer rate increase from Warsaw, Winona Lake will conduct a feasibility study to consider having its own sewer plant built.
The Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday night approved Wightman Petrie to conduct the study that will determine if the town should use Warsaw for wastewater service or proceed with the option of building its own treatment facility.
The Warsaw City Council held a public hearing Aug. 21 where a proposed sewer rate ordinance was presented that would include a 60-percent increase in its applicable rate for Winona Lake.
Winona Lake residents currently pay $36 a month for sewer rates, but that would increase to $56 a month if the proposed sewer rates are approved.
The city council approved Warsaw rates and charges for city sewage services at its Sept. 18 meeting. The rates and charges for Warsaw for all dwelling units, including single-family, duplexes, apartments, condominiums and mobile home courts will be a minimum of $30.80 per month for each dwelling unit.
Wiggins said during the city council's Sept. 18 meeting the city wants the matter resolved so Winona Lake residents would see the rate increase on their bills beginning January 2007.
Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks and Winona Town Council President Rolly Ortega attended the city council's Aug. 21 meeting, voicing their concern with the proposed sewage rate increases for Winona Lake.
Hicks and Ortega have met with Mayor Ernie Wiggins and city council members to discuss their concern with the proposed sewer rate increase since the Aug. 21 meeting.
Ortega read a letter during Tuesday night's meeting from Tom Miller, area manager for Severn Trent Services Inc., South Bend, stating three quotes were received for the feasibility study.
Quotes were received from Wightman Petrie, not to exceed $3,200; DLZ, between $3,000 to $5,000; and Wessler & Associates for $3,000.
In the letter, Miller suggested Wightman Petrie be selected for the study based on its detailed proposal for conducting work. The council approved Wightman Petrie to conduct the sewage treatment feasibility study based on this suggestion.
"I was impressed with how detailed Wightman Petrie was in their project approach explanation," Ortega said.
"This study will help us decide if building our own sewage treatment plant would be a good idea for Winona Lake residents now and in the future."
According to the study proposal, the company will conduct preliminary research working with assembling all past reports and test records and meeting with current and past operations staff. Field inspection of existing key facilities would be conducted. A work plan for system testing, flow monitoring and data logging will be completed.
The company will conduct an in-depth discussion with operations staff and conduct analysis of the current operational conditions at the connection points to Warsaw's system, including a comparison to permit parameters and future needs.
In the letter, Miller stated he had spoken with Ken Jones, Wightman Petri president, and he assured that a complete water treatment plant study could be completed by the council's last council meeting in December.
The council also:
• Approved a resolution for a grant totaling $35,000 and to hire seven local enforcement law liaisons who will administer the grant. The grant will cover all the expenses incurred by the individuals in fulfilling their responsibilities as liaisons. The liaisons work in seven districts in Indiana to assist police departments in establishing programs for drunk driving and seatbelt safety.
• Approved Troy Ousley, Leesburg, to complete seawall repair on 250 feet of the east seawall on the south end of the project for $20,000. The seawall portion previously was not covered under the grant.
• Approved three quotes to install two replacement decorative streetlights and one new streetlight at three areas in Winona Lake. Lighting was lost along the proposed greenway and it was discovered streetlights were being taken out in needed locations.
They include a replacement light at 12th and East Canal Street for $3,433, a replacement light behind the Winona Lake Town Hall for $3,833, and a new light off of Boys City Drive on Montague Lane for $4,188.
• Approved Dave Turner, Winona Lake, as a new Winona Lake Plan Commission member. Turner will replace Randy Ruppel who resigned a few months ago.
Ortega also gave a report on upcoming events in Winona Lake including WRSW 107.3 Talk of the Town radio show Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. with council member Jerry Clevenger, trick-or-treating in Winona Lake Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Second Sunday Series at Rodeheaver Auditorium Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m., The Winona Lake Community Dinner at Rodeheaver Auditorium Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. with a Festival of Trees preview, and The Festival of Trees at Rodeheaver Auditorium Nov. 18-22.
The council will meet Oct. 24 at 7 a.m. at the Winona Lake Town Hall. Town Council members are Ortega, Jeff Carroll, Jerry Clevenger, Dave Delp and Joy Lohse. [[In-content Ad]]
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WINONA LAKE - Faced with a proposed 60 percent sewer rate increase from Warsaw, Winona Lake will conduct a feasibility study to consider having its own sewer plant built.
The Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday night approved Wightman Petrie to conduct the study that will determine if the town should use Warsaw for wastewater service or proceed with the option of building its own treatment facility.
The Warsaw City Council held a public hearing Aug. 21 where a proposed sewer rate ordinance was presented that would include a 60-percent increase in its applicable rate for Winona Lake.
Winona Lake residents currently pay $36 a month for sewer rates, but that would increase to $56 a month if the proposed sewer rates are approved.
The city council approved Warsaw rates and charges for city sewage services at its Sept. 18 meeting. The rates and charges for Warsaw for all dwelling units, including single-family, duplexes, apartments, condominiums and mobile home courts will be a minimum of $30.80 per month for each dwelling unit.
Wiggins said during the city council's Sept. 18 meeting the city wants the matter resolved so Winona Lake residents would see the rate increase on their bills beginning January 2007.
Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks and Winona Town Council President Rolly Ortega attended the city council's Aug. 21 meeting, voicing their concern with the proposed sewage rate increases for Winona Lake.
Hicks and Ortega have met with Mayor Ernie Wiggins and city council members to discuss their concern with the proposed sewer rate increase since the Aug. 21 meeting.
Ortega read a letter during Tuesday night's meeting from Tom Miller, area manager for Severn Trent Services Inc., South Bend, stating three quotes were received for the feasibility study.
Quotes were received from Wightman Petrie, not to exceed $3,200; DLZ, between $3,000 to $5,000; and Wessler & Associates for $3,000.
In the letter, Miller suggested Wightman Petrie be selected for the study based on its detailed proposal for conducting work. The council approved Wightman Petrie to conduct the sewage treatment feasibility study based on this suggestion.
"I was impressed with how detailed Wightman Petrie was in their project approach explanation," Ortega said.
"This study will help us decide if building our own sewage treatment plant would be a good idea for Winona Lake residents now and in the future."
According to the study proposal, the company will conduct preliminary research working with assembling all past reports and test records and meeting with current and past operations staff. Field inspection of existing key facilities would be conducted. A work plan for system testing, flow monitoring and data logging will be completed.
The company will conduct an in-depth discussion with operations staff and conduct analysis of the current operational conditions at the connection points to Warsaw's system, including a comparison to permit parameters and future needs.
In the letter, Miller stated he had spoken with Ken Jones, Wightman Petri president, and he assured that a complete water treatment plant study could be completed by the council's last council meeting in December.
The council also:
• Approved a resolution for a grant totaling $35,000 and to hire seven local enforcement law liaisons who will administer the grant. The grant will cover all the expenses incurred by the individuals in fulfilling their responsibilities as liaisons. The liaisons work in seven districts in Indiana to assist police departments in establishing programs for drunk driving and seatbelt safety.
• Approved Troy Ousley, Leesburg, to complete seawall repair on 250 feet of the east seawall on the south end of the project for $20,000. The seawall portion previously was not covered under the grant.
• Approved three quotes to install two replacement decorative streetlights and one new streetlight at three areas in Winona Lake. Lighting was lost along the proposed greenway and it was discovered streetlights were being taken out in needed locations.
They include a replacement light at 12th and East Canal Street for $3,433, a replacement light behind the Winona Lake Town Hall for $3,833, and a new light off of Boys City Drive on Montague Lane for $4,188.
• Approved Dave Turner, Winona Lake, as a new Winona Lake Plan Commission member. Turner will replace Randy Ruppel who resigned a few months ago.
Ortega also gave a report on upcoming events in Winona Lake including WRSW 107.3 Talk of the Town radio show Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. with council member Jerry Clevenger, trick-or-treating in Winona Lake Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Second Sunday Series at Rodeheaver Auditorium Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m., The Winona Lake Community Dinner at Rodeheaver Auditorium Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. with a Festival of Trees preview, and The Festival of Trees at Rodeheaver Auditorium Nov. 18-22.
The council will meet Oct. 24 at 7 a.m. at the Winona Lake Town Hall. Town Council members are Ortega, Jeff Carroll, Jerry Clevenger, Dave Delp and Joy Lohse. [[In-content Ad]]