Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - "I think we've accomplished a lot and we've come a long way in 11 years," Kim Endicott said as he publicly resigned his position as Winona Lake Street Superintendent today.
The Winona Lake Town Council received his letter of resignation Jan. 17. Endicott's resignation is effective Friday.
"We sure appreciate the time and effort you put into the town of Winona Lake in the past 11- plus years. You'll sure be missed," said Jerry Clevenger, council member.
The board appointed Bart Jones as the new street superintendent to replace Endicott.
"I'm just a little overwhelmed right now," Jones said of his new appointment. "I hope I do a good job."
"He already knows the basics," Endicott said. "The last couple of snows we've had, I've had nothing to do with them. Bart's handled them, and I think he's done very well."
Winona Lake's town marshal, Malcolm Gilbert, wished Endicott well and offered Jones a bit of advice: "Our department will work with you 100 percent. Look to Retha Hicks as much as you can." Hicks is the town council's clerk-treasurer.
The board also approved a resolution to seek an Economic Development Income Tax. They will move forward with public notification of their intentions. The board will pursue the tax based on population. The tax is to be used for infrastructure improvements within each individual town in Kosciusko County.
"This is going to have to be put into place by March, I believe," Hicks said.
It is not yet determined what the EDIT money will be used for. The board is looking at several options, including a wastewater treatment plant and several road projects. A public hearing will be held in February. At this time a plan for the EDIT money will be determined.
In other business:
• The board approved a request from Winona Lake resident Lou Miloh for a $120 reimbursement. The reimbursement is for a sewer problem Miloh fixed that began in early December. Miloh took care of the plumbing and heating problem the first week of January. He has asked the board not only for reimbursement but also to place the sewer problem on a higher priority list. The board approved this request. "It's the town's responsibility," Endicott said.
• Last year the board purchased a fire truck for $165,000. The Indiana Fund Grant covered $100,000 of this cost. Today the board approved $65,000 as an additional appropriation to cover the cost of the fire truck.
• The board discussed changing location for election voting today as well. In past years, the community building was used as the voting facility.
"I really don't think there would be any problem continuing to use this building," Hicks said. You have to look at the "aspect of people used to going to the same place." Hicks went on to say that moving the location would be an inconvenience.
The board approved the community building as the voting facility once again.
Members of the Winona Lake Town Council include: Jeff Carroll, David Delp, Jerry Clevenger, Craig Snow and Rolly Ortega.
