Winona Council Hears Request To Extend South Side Sewer Line
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE- Winona Lake Town Council heard a request for a sewer line to be extended for properties on the south side of the town's lake during Tuesday's meeting.
Randy and Carole Lowe, 2104 Eastwood Road, Winona Lake, approached the council with a request for the sewer line to extend to their property along with approximately 50 other properties that currently have a septic system.
Randy said they have lived in the home since 1984, and purchased the property in 1982.
He said 27 years ago when they were annexed from Wayne Township into Winona Lake they were told there would be a sewer system around the entire lake, but that has not happened.
Randy said he wants his property value enhanced and asked if there is a master plan or intent to proceed with extending a sewer line to the south side of the lake.
A sewer line currently starts in Warsaw and extends to Stone Camp and Country Club Road and Country Club Drive.
Council President Terry Howie said Winona Lake has been negotiating with Warsaw for sewer rates for town residents. The town also has been considering locating a sewer treatment system in the town.
Howie suggested the Lowes get a group of their neighborhood residents together and petition to the council for the sewer system to extend to their properties.
Councilwoman Joy Lohse said she would support extending the sewer line.
"I'm a major advocate for a sewer system going in and it is a huge environmental issue and a property value issue and I would like to encourage you to get your neighborhood together to approach the council with your request," Lohse said.
Howie and councilwoman Sue Gooding said they also support the sewer line extension.
In other business, the council approved Gooding serving as vice president on the council.
Former vice president Jim Lancaster recently resigned and a caucus is scheduled for Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at town hall to name his replacement.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said he sent a letter to the Indiana Department of Transportation Monday requesting additional funding to mill and resurface CR 250E.
The council also discussed painting parking curbs yellow in the town.
Councilman Randy Swanson said Brent Wilcoxson, Village At Winona managing director, approached him wondering why the street department was paining curbs in the town.
Public Works Director Pete O'Connell said the street employees have been painting parking curbs after complaints about drivers not being able to see at intersections because drivers have parked beyond the yellow lines at intersections where parking is prohibited.
He said the employees paint 20 feet from an intersection, and parking is not allowed 20 feet from an intersection after the painted yellow lines.
Howie said he would rather see curbs painted yellow to inform drivers of no parking than a no parking sign.
Gooding suggested O'Connell look at the parking curbs on an annual basis to make sure they are painted as needed.
The town also:
n Approved an alley vacation for a property at 306 Columbia Drive.
n Approved the town purchasing a $29,950 leaf machine from Brown Equipment Co. Inc., Fort Wayne. The machine will be paid for using the town's motor vehicle highway fund.
n Approved a resolution for the town to transfer $362,141.60 from the Winona Lake District Bond Fund to the Winona Lake Redevelopment District Capital Fund.
Upcoming events in the town include a Business Technology Expo at the Orthopaedic Capital Center Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a Village At Winona Arts Walk Friday; first day for Warsaw Community Schools Tuesday and an Antique Car Festival in the town Aug. 21.
