Winona Lake Sewer Bills May Rise
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Sewer bills in Winona Lake may show a slight increase according to a report the town council considered at its meeting Tuesday.
The basic residential rate of $27 per month could go up to $29 per month, recommended Chuck Dalton of Umbaugh & Associates, who did a study of sewer rates for the town.
Without an increase, the town's sewer budget will run at a deficit of about $20,000, he said. The $2 increase would keep the fund in the black.
The rate hike, which is 7.5 percent, would be the first one in three years, Dalton said, and probably would not go into effect until the town's next coupon billing in January.
The council will study the issue and hold public hearings on the rate increase before making a decision.
Town council president Brent Wilcoxson said the amount of sewage being sent from Winona Lake to Warsaw for treatment has increased significantly since the new meter was installed. Assuming the meter is correct, he said, "it's time to look seriously at consumption."
Larry Long, town engineer, said if the meter is correct and infiltration is suspected in the sewer lines, "there are ways to systematically track those down."
Council approved installing signs in Southtown Estates to warn drivers about children walking and riding bicycles to the new park. Residents complained about speeding drivers in the area and the dangers now that kids are on the streets more. Council also lowered the speed limit in the area to 20 miles per hour.
Because of the speeding problem and because of complaints that drivers regularly run the stop sign at Faunn Street and Lake John Circle, council also directed the Winona Lake Police Department to increase patrols in Southtown.
Street work on the island is continuing, with curbs soon to be installed, followed by sidewalks and asphalt on the streets, Long reported.
Island traffic may have a new direction after the street work is done, said town councilman Dick Taylor, after residents voted at a meeting on traffic patterns.
The residents agreed to make Court Street one-way from Administration to 12th Street; and to allow two-way traffic on Court Street from 12th Street to the dead end because there is no outlet.
In other business:
• Fire Chief Roger Gelbaugh said his department continues to have problems with the recycling bins overflowing and with residents who throw trash around the bins. Councilwoman Edna Gamble said she would discuss the problem with the Solid Waste Management District board.
• The Winona Lake Police Department is investigating possible places to move its headquarters if upcoming development plans force a move from its present building. So far the department is looking at the lodge building, which is owned by the town's park department, and has mentioned the quonset hut, now used as an ice skating rink, as another possibility. The issue will be discussed further at the next meeting, set for 7:30 a.m. May 27. [[In-content Ad]]
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WINONA LAKE - Sewer bills in Winona Lake may show a slight increase according to a report the town council considered at its meeting Tuesday.
The basic residential rate of $27 per month could go up to $29 per month, recommended Chuck Dalton of Umbaugh & Associates, who did a study of sewer rates for the town.
Without an increase, the town's sewer budget will run at a deficit of about $20,000, he said. The $2 increase would keep the fund in the black.
The rate hike, which is 7.5 percent, would be the first one in three years, Dalton said, and probably would not go into effect until the town's next coupon billing in January.
The council will study the issue and hold public hearings on the rate increase before making a decision.
Town council president Brent Wilcoxson said the amount of sewage being sent from Winona Lake to Warsaw for treatment has increased significantly since the new meter was installed. Assuming the meter is correct, he said, "it's time to look seriously at consumption."
Larry Long, town engineer, said if the meter is correct and infiltration is suspected in the sewer lines, "there are ways to systematically track those down."
Council approved installing signs in Southtown Estates to warn drivers about children walking and riding bicycles to the new park. Residents complained about speeding drivers in the area and the dangers now that kids are on the streets more. Council also lowered the speed limit in the area to 20 miles per hour.
Because of the speeding problem and because of complaints that drivers regularly run the stop sign at Faunn Street and Lake John Circle, council also directed the Winona Lake Police Department to increase patrols in Southtown.
Street work on the island is continuing, with curbs soon to be installed, followed by sidewalks and asphalt on the streets, Long reported.
Island traffic may have a new direction after the street work is done, said town councilman Dick Taylor, after residents voted at a meeting on traffic patterns.
The residents agreed to make Court Street one-way from Administration to 12th Street; and to allow two-way traffic on Court Street from 12th Street to the dead end because there is no outlet.
In other business:
• Fire Chief Roger Gelbaugh said his department continues to have problems with the recycling bins overflowing and with residents who throw trash around the bins. Councilwoman Edna Gamble said she would discuss the problem with the Solid Waste Management District board.
• The Winona Lake Police Department is investigating possible places to move its headquarters if upcoming development plans force a move from its present building. So far the department is looking at the lodge building, which is owned by the town's park department, and has mentioned the quonset hut, now used as an ice skating rink, as another possibility. The issue will be discussed further at the next meeting, set for 7:30 a.m. May 27. [[In-content Ad]]