WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake residents who rent the town’s picnic tables over a 72-hour timeframe will now be charged $5. Winona Lake Town Council during its meeting Tuesday night approved the charge for the picnic tables that are stored at the Winona Lake Street Department. Councilman Philip Hood made the motion for the fee, seconded by councilman Randy Swanson. There was previously no fee for Winona residents to rent the picnic tables. The town’s Redevelopment Commission purchased 25 picnic tables last year. “With more activity around the town we’ve gotten more requests for picnic tables,” said Town Coordinator Craig Allebach. Allebach said the biggest thing is the labor for the street department to move the tables. Winona residents who want to rent the picnic tables and have them delivered by the street department to their residences can call Holly Hummitch, parks director, at 574-267-2310 or email her at hhummitch@yahoo.com There is no fee for people who use picnic tables at the park. Delivery of tables is Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. “These rentals are just another benefit of living in Winona Lake,” said councilman Randy Swanson. Pete O’Connell, public works director, agreed. “This is your tax dollars at work,” O’Connell said. Greg Winn, councilman, suggested the town charge $30 for picnic tables and made the motion, but it died for lack of a second. Fire Chief Mitch Titus said he did not feel a $30 fee was appropriate. “If you jack this up to $30 you won’t have to worry about delivering a picnic table in town period. You are doing this as a service to our community and $5 covers a little bit of gas,” Titus said. Also during the meeting, Town Attorney Jim Walmer swore in new councilman Terry Howie who replaces John Boal on the council. The council reviewed three bids for refuse and recyclables for the town. The bids will be taken under advisement and reviewed at the next meeting. The council approved a mutual aid agreement for Winona Lake to partner with Elkhart, Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski, St. Joseph, and Starke counties to provide aid during natural disasters. The council approved a resolution for town employees to pay $50 to rent the Winona Lake Senior Center, an increase from $25. Town Engineer Larry Long informed the council work has begun on the Prestwick Street Subdivision project. Street construction began on East Saint Andrews Street to Pierceton Road and 1,000 feet of pavement has been removed. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 31. O’Connell said the street department has begun to spray for mosquitoes.
