Winona Approves Fire Rescue, Pumper Truck Purchases
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council this morning approved the town purchasing a used fire rescue truck and new fire pumper truck.
Council members Terry Howie, Randy Swanson and Sue Gooding approved the purchases. Councilwoman Joy Lohse was absent.
The council approved purchasing a $255,725 new fire pumper truck from HME, Michigan. The new truck will replace the town's 1990 fire truck.
Mitch Titus, Winona Lake fire chief, said the town will save $30,000 by purchasing the truck that is on special.
Titus said the department looked at used trucks, but they did not have the water capacity the department needed like the new truck does.
"I like the safety features, maneuverability of the new fire pumper truck and appreciate that the fire department has spent time in researching options," Gooding said.
The council also approved purchasing a $40,000 used fire rescue truck from Andy Mohr Ford, Plainfield. It will replace Titus's fire rescue truck.
Titus's current fire rescue truck is a 2002 and has 11,000 miles.
The council also approved the town signing a lease, pending legal counsel advice, on allowing a "Garden of Hope" cancer memorial garden in Winona Lake.
Benches and perennials will be sold with proceeds going to the K21 Cancer Care Fund for the garden.
Lois Niemier and Nicole Kelley, project coordinators, attended this morning's meeting to request the town allow the garden.
Niemier said the garden is being proposed in Winona Lake on the north end of the Boat House Restaurant alongside the lake.
Dr. Dane Miller has donated a 90-year lease of the land for the project.
In addition, three local professional landscapers have offered their service to the project at no cost.
Gooding asked who would maintain the garden, and Niemier said she has been in discussion with the Master Gardeners organization.
In other business, the council approved a $12,000 agreement between the town and Wayne Township for park and recreation services the town provides to Wayne Township.
Upcoming events in the town include Day of Caring Wednesday; Winona Sailing Club Regatta, Sept. 10-12; Village at Winona Arts Walk, Sept. 10, 5 to 8 p.m.; Lake City Marathon, Sept. 11, 7 a.m.; YMCA run, Sept. 18, 8 a.m.; American Heart Association Walk at Winona Lake Park, Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m.; The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk, Sept. 23, 5 p.m.; and Day of Generosity Cycling Tour, Sept. 25, 9 a.m.
