City Hears Eisenhower Park Subdivision Street Lights Request
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw City Council Monday heard a request for street lights to be installed in the Eisenhower Park Subdivision neighborhood. The council agreed to allow Jeremy Skinner, city planner, to research possible locations for the poles. Skinner said he was sent a letter from Eisenhower Park Subdivision residents requesting lights be installed due to recent break-ins and neighborhood safety issues. The subdivision is north of Pheasant Ridge Subdivision off of Ranch Road. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said the city will need to decide if it will use funds from this year or specifically designated funds in next year’s budget for the light poles. Skinner said the cost estimate would be $20,000 to $25,000 to install three to four light poles in the neighborhood, and the city would be responsible for paying the electric bills. He said lights would need to be strategically placed at intersections. Patt Hygema, Eisenhower Park Subdivision Association president, attended Monday’s meeting and presented a petition with signatures to the council of residents who wanted street lights installed. She said there are currently light poles in the neighborhoods close to the homes that don’t reflect light on the streets. “We have 39 kids in our neighborhood and a lot of families that walk their dogs at night, and we have had quite a few car breaks-ins and a home break-in,” Hygema said. Mike Klondaris, councilman, said Hygema contacted him after the last election inquiring about street lights. Klondaris said he visited the neighborhood and agreed it is dark in the neighborhood with the lack of lighting. He said the current lamp posts are 12 to 15 feet away from the homes and a long way from the street. Elaine Call, councilwoman, requested the city use funds from this year’s budget to make the light pole installments. “I think it’s a reasonable request. I think it’s something we should be concerned about,” Call said. Skinner said he will need to look to see where utilities are located, where to place the light poles and right of way for utilities to put the poles. The council will need to determine where funds will come from to install the light poles.
