Winona Residents Voice Storm Drainage Concerns
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Bill Firstenberger, 2501 Westwood Road, said there is a drainage issue from a ditch that has an overflow of water near Peachtree Lane in Winona Lake.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said it is a private property issue and is up to the homeowners in the subdivision to take care of the drainage issue. Allebach said the town will, as best as possible, keep the drains below the streets.
[[In-content Ad]]"I'm more than willing to be an active player in solving this problem," Firstenberger said. "All I ask is that there be some type of plan and contact given to me so that I know what is going on before a work crew shows up and there is a hole dug through my property without anyone telling me work would be done."
Dean Um, 105 Peachtree Lane, also said he had concerns with storm drainage issues.
"The drainage problem is affecting a lot of people in the neighborhood," Um said.
He said the basin goes through Peachtree Lane and crosses Southwood Estates to get to the destination where it empties out into Snake Island.
Public Works Director Pete O'Connell said he has looked at the drain twice. He looked at the drain last February and said it drained very slowly.
Councilwoman Joy Lohse read a purchase agreement for the property that was filed in 1998 with the Kosciusko County recorder for the property. It stated all necessary and reasonable expenses for the clean out and repair of any drains into and out of the retention pool must be shared proportionately by all lot owners in the subdivision.
Allebach said, according to the purchase agreement, it is the property owners' responsibility to know the deeds and covenants of the property.
"I think we should try and support our residents who are taxpayers," Lohse said.
Long said the tile is either broken down or has settled in the middle somewhere, and equipment will need to be used to excavate down to the tile and follow the water until the plug is found to find out if the water is clogged. He said he would figure out the dimensions of the drainage pipe.
Lohse made a motion to have town engineer Larry Long and O'Connell look at the issue and report back to the council, and make a professional recommendation on the drainage issue.
In other business, the council approved the town allowing pink ribbons to be posted on the town's light posts April 18 to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Upcoming events in the town include the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association women's basketball championship Thursday through Saturday at Grace College; Village at Winona Chocolate March Saturday, and March 21 and 28; a run/walk for hunger 5K at Winona Lake Park March 28 at 10 a.m.; and Winona Lake clean-up day April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Bill Firstenberger, 2501 Westwood Road, said there is a drainage issue from a ditch that has an overflow of water near Peachtree Lane in Winona Lake.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said it is a private property issue and is up to the homeowners in the subdivision to take care of the drainage issue. Allebach said the town will, as best as possible, keep the drains below the streets.
[[In-content Ad]]"I'm more than willing to be an active player in solving this problem," Firstenberger said. "All I ask is that there be some type of plan and contact given to me so that I know what is going on before a work crew shows up and there is a hole dug through my property without anyone telling me work would be done."
Dean Um, 105 Peachtree Lane, also said he had concerns with storm drainage issues.
"The drainage problem is affecting a lot of people in the neighborhood," Um said.
He said the basin goes through Peachtree Lane and crosses Southwood Estates to get to the destination where it empties out into Snake Island.
Public Works Director Pete O'Connell said he has looked at the drain twice. He looked at the drain last February and said it drained very slowly.
Councilwoman Joy Lohse read a purchase agreement for the property that was filed in 1998 with the Kosciusko County recorder for the property. It stated all necessary and reasonable expenses for the clean out and repair of any drains into and out of the retention pool must be shared proportionately by all lot owners in the subdivision.
Allebach said, according to the purchase agreement, it is the property owners' responsibility to know the deeds and covenants of the property.
"I think we should try and support our residents who are taxpayers," Lohse said.
Long said the tile is either broken down or has settled in the middle somewhere, and equipment will need to be used to excavate down to the tile and follow the water until the plug is found to find out if the water is clogged. He said he would figure out the dimensions of the drainage pipe.
Lohse made a motion to have town engineer Larry Long and O'Connell look at the issue and report back to the council, and make a professional recommendation on the drainage issue.
In other business, the council approved the town allowing pink ribbons to be posted on the town's light posts April 18 to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Upcoming events in the town include the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association women's basketball championship Thursday through Saturday at Grace College; Village at Winona Chocolate March Saturday, and March 21 and 28; a run/walk for hunger 5K at Winona Lake Park March 28 at 10 a.m.; and Winona Lake clean-up day April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092