Winona Resident Again Airs Greenway Concerns
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Nelson, 1012 Court St., previously discussed her concerns with the safety of the Greenway and requested a copy of the design plans at the council's June 12 meeting.
She asked the council about the area of the Greenway on East Canal Street from the Cerulean Restaurant to Administration Boulevard. She said she felt the width of the bike trail was not wide enough to accommodate bicyclists safely.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach informed Nelson at the June 12 meeting the Greenway ends at the Cerulean Restaurant and is a bike trail, not a Greenway.
Nelson said since the meeting, she met with a representative of the Village at Winona.
She said she discovered, before the town signed to have the trail go through their area, they included in the agreement that the trail would not be the regular trail and that they could close it for festivals.
Allebach said he will get the original design plans to Nelson.
The council also approved the town budget for 2008.
The general fund for 2008 is $1,194.532. It is a $125,000 increase from the $1,069,560 budget in 2007. Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks said the increase is attributed to an $80,000 increase for the town's trash removal contract, and gas and insurance increases for the Winona Lake police and fire departments. The increase also is attributed to a 3-percent employee wage and benefit increases for town employees.
The motor vehicle highway budget is $656,440. This is a $22,865 increase for gas and insurance increases and to compensate for the 3-percent employee wage and benefit increases for town employees.
Winona Lake resident Jerry Nelson asked the council why the town has not seen larger cuts to its budget compared to other Indiana towns and cities.
Hicks said the town has tried to be conservative, kept a six-month operating balance, and planned ahead in case the town's budget is cut by the state.
"The town has always tried to be conservative and we applaud our employees and town council for keeping a close look at our expenses," Hicks said.
Hicks said the town will sign a letter to send to the department of local government finance for suggested areas the department can cut from the town's budget if needed.
The council also approved a $10,000 purchase agreement for the town to purchase wetlands from Don and Darci Zolman to plant wetland vegetation.
The wetlands are part of the CR 250E project and will be located along Wooster Road and CR 250E.
The wetlands will be planted and then monitored for five years, Allebach said.
Allebach said the plans have been approved by the Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the wetlands.
Allebach said the CR 250E project is on schedule, and pipe has been laid for curb installation.
He said curbs will need to be laid before Pierceton Road can reopen.
Upcoming events in the town include the Winona Lake Fall Festival and the Huzzah Hoosier Pennant Vintage Base Ball tournament, both Oct. 6; mountain bike races Oct. 6-7; The Second Sunday Series at Rodeheaver Auditorium Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; and the Winona Lake Community Appreciation Dinner Nov. 9 at Rodeheaver Auditorium.
The next council meeting has been rescheduled for Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at the town hall.[[In-content Ad]]
Nelson, 1012 Court St., previously discussed her concerns with the safety of the Greenway and requested a copy of the design plans at the council's June 12 meeting.
She asked the council about the area of the Greenway on East Canal Street from the Cerulean Restaurant to Administration Boulevard. She said she felt the width of the bike trail was not wide enough to accommodate bicyclists safely.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach informed Nelson at the June 12 meeting the Greenway ends at the Cerulean Restaurant and is a bike trail, not a Greenway.
Nelson said since the meeting, she met with a representative of the Village at Winona.
She said she discovered, before the town signed to have the trail go through their area, they included in the agreement that the trail would not be the regular trail and that they could close it for festivals.
Allebach said he will get the original design plans to Nelson.
The council also approved the town budget for 2008.
The general fund for 2008 is $1,194.532. It is a $125,000 increase from the $1,069,560 budget in 2007. Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks said the increase is attributed to an $80,000 increase for the town's trash removal contract, and gas and insurance increases for the Winona Lake police and fire departments. The increase also is attributed to a 3-percent employee wage and benefit increases for town employees.
The motor vehicle highway budget is $656,440. This is a $22,865 increase for gas and insurance increases and to compensate for the 3-percent employee wage and benefit increases for town employees.
Winona Lake resident Jerry Nelson asked the council why the town has not seen larger cuts to its budget compared to other Indiana towns and cities.
Hicks said the town has tried to be conservative, kept a six-month operating balance, and planned ahead in case the town's budget is cut by the state.
"The town has always tried to be conservative and we applaud our employees and town council for keeping a close look at our expenses," Hicks said.
Hicks said the town will sign a letter to send to the department of local government finance for suggested areas the department can cut from the town's budget if needed.
The council also approved a $10,000 purchase agreement for the town to purchase wetlands from Don and Darci Zolman to plant wetland vegetation.
The wetlands are part of the CR 250E project and will be located along Wooster Road and CR 250E.
The wetlands will be planted and then monitored for five years, Allebach said.
Allebach said the plans have been approved by the Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the wetlands.
Allebach said the CR 250E project is on schedule, and pipe has been laid for curb installation.
He said curbs will need to be laid before Pierceton Road can reopen.
Upcoming events in the town include the Winona Lake Fall Festival and the Huzzah Hoosier Pennant Vintage Base Ball tournament, both Oct. 6; mountain bike races Oct. 6-7; The Second Sunday Series at Rodeheaver Auditorium Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; and the Winona Lake Community Appreciation Dinner Nov. 9 at Rodeheaver Auditorium.
The next council meeting has been rescheduled for Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at the town hall.[[In-content Ad]]
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