Winona Council Stalls Fire Truck Purchase
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Much to the chagrin of the Winona Lake Fire Department, a 15-year-old fire truck will remain in commission after a Tuesday decision by the town council to deny its replacement.
Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks, after researching the town's current financial status, said it would be difficult for the town to provide enough capital to pay for the new machine.
"Currently, we have a bit of leeway financially, but we have to take into consideration that we will face increases in healthcare and gasoline costs," Hicks said. "Right now I would not recommend this purchase."
Hicks reported an increase of $30,000 in town healthcare expenses for next year, a discovery made last week that affected the decision to deny the truck purchase.
Fire Chief Roger Gelbaugh said the department traditionally replaced fire trucks every 20 years, but the current truck is running adequately with no major impairments besides its age.
"We'll manage with our current truck," Gelbaugh said. "We'll make do."
After the mention of rising gasoline prices, Town Coordinator Craig Allebach discussed his concerns with how town projects would be affected by increasing costs.
"It's difficult to determine where gas prices will be in the next year or so, but we're hoping for the best," Allebach said. "It's frustrating that our tax levy has been frozen at one rate because we've been frugal with spending in recent years. This feels a bit like a punishment, which doesn't make sense."
Allebach also reported the current state of the CR 250E improvement project. Property owners are being contacted by Allebach to settle agreements in the area. All right-of-way settlements are estimated to be completed in mid-November.
In other issues, the board discussed traffic conditions around the Argonne Road intersection. Construction on the railroad viaduct caused sections of Argonne to be closed, and the Winona Lake street lights at the intersection have been adjusted accordingly. Allebach said he hoped for construction completion within the week so normal traffic conditions can be reestablished.
Resident Jim LeMasters expressed concerns with the intersection, saying traffic might become clogged due to the current traffic light plan.
"I ask that you please keep an eye on the intersection," LeMasters said. "If things don't work, I'd hope you could change things accordingly."
The board agreed to keep an eye on the intersection conditions.
The board also:
• Approved an agreement with Warsaw to accept an increase in the wastewater rate.
• Scheduled trick or treat hours to be Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Reported a change in scheduling for the lecture of Michael Reagan at Rodeheaver Auditorium. The Oct. 20 presentation now will be April 20.
• Reported on the Oct. 22 Kosciusko Healthfest at Rodeheaver Auditorium. The event will take place from 7 to 11 a.m.
Present board members were Jeff Carroll, David Delp, Jerry Clevenger, Joy Lohse and Rolly Ortega.
The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 7 a.m. in town hall. [[In-content Ad]]
E-Editions
WINONA LAKE - Much to the chagrin of the Winona Lake Fire Department, a 15-year-old fire truck will remain in commission after a Tuesday decision by the town council to deny its replacement.
Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks, after researching the town's current financial status, said it would be difficult for the town to provide enough capital to pay for the new machine.
"Currently, we have a bit of leeway financially, but we have to take into consideration that we will face increases in healthcare and gasoline costs," Hicks said. "Right now I would not recommend this purchase."
Hicks reported an increase of $30,000 in town healthcare expenses for next year, a discovery made last week that affected the decision to deny the truck purchase.
Fire Chief Roger Gelbaugh said the department traditionally replaced fire trucks every 20 years, but the current truck is running adequately with no major impairments besides its age.
"We'll manage with our current truck," Gelbaugh said. "We'll make do."
After the mention of rising gasoline prices, Town Coordinator Craig Allebach discussed his concerns with how town projects would be affected by increasing costs.
"It's difficult to determine where gas prices will be in the next year or so, but we're hoping for the best," Allebach said. "It's frustrating that our tax levy has been frozen at one rate because we've been frugal with spending in recent years. This feels a bit like a punishment, which doesn't make sense."
Allebach also reported the current state of the CR 250E improvement project. Property owners are being contacted by Allebach to settle agreements in the area. All right-of-way settlements are estimated to be completed in mid-November.
In other issues, the board discussed traffic conditions around the Argonne Road intersection. Construction on the railroad viaduct caused sections of Argonne to be closed, and the Winona Lake street lights at the intersection have been adjusted accordingly. Allebach said he hoped for construction completion within the week so normal traffic conditions can be reestablished.
Resident Jim LeMasters expressed concerns with the intersection, saying traffic might become clogged due to the current traffic light plan.
"I ask that you please keep an eye on the intersection," LeMasters said. "If things don't work, I'd hope you could change things accordingly."
The board agreed to keep an eye on the intersection conditions.
The board also:
• Approved an agreement with Warsaw to accept an increase in the wastewater rate.
• Scheduled trick or treat hours to be Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Reported a change in scheduling for the lecture of Michael Reagan at Rodeheaver Auditorium. The Oct. 20 presentation now will be April 20.
• Reported on the Oct. 22 Kosciusko Healthfest at Rodeheaver Auditorium. The event will take place from 7 to 11 a.m.
Present board members were Jeff Carroll, David Delp, Jerry Clevenger, Joy Lohse and Rolly Ortega.
The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 7 a.m. in town hall. [[In-content Ad]]