Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - The town council here has some hard choices to make, because something has to give somewhere.
According to town council president Brent Wilcoxson, the town's capital budget is in deficit to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars. He wants the council to begin considering how to make up at least a portion of that shortfall.
"The capital budget is currently $260,000 in the red. This doesn't include any grant funds, so when we receive the $150,000 Kent Adams says we're due to receive, that leaves us at $110,000 short," he said at a meeting this morning. "From my standpoint, we need to look at the fire department to have them eliminate the mini pumper - an $80,000 purchase. It would be a nice piece of equipment to have, but not when we're in the red."
Wilcoxson added that the recent request for an expansion of the fire station could also be scrubbed if the additional vehicle is not purchased.
Edna Gamble, the council's fire department liaison, said she would want to discuss the proposed cuts with the department before any firm decisions are made.
In other business, the council approved a $7,500 expansion of the sanitary sewers, tying into a new sewer line Grace College is constructing to service Kent Hall.
"The town will tie into the manhole at the alley between 13th and 14th streets and connect with the new sewer line installed on Maple Avenue," said Kim Endicott, street superintendent.
The town will provide 365 feet of sewer line and the labor to remove the excavated road material and to backfill once the line is installed.
"The residents should also be aware that Kings Highway will be closed between 14th and Maple streets from next Monday through Friday for the construction," Endicott said.
The council also approved a $2,400 change order for the new town hall, for the construction of a storm water drainage tile. Endicott told the council the 300 feet of drain tile from the southwest corner of the town hall to the canal will also alleviate the poor drainage problem south of the town hall that has been a concern to the parks department for the past several years.
"This will also allow us to pick up some of the low spots that the parks department has been wanting to address," he said.
Councilman Harold Dunn also reported work is on schedule to be completed by the planned Aug. 1 move-in date.
Wilcoxson reported there will be two public hearings in August at the Community Building.
The first, at 10 a.m. Aug. 3, is with the Department of Commerce to determine the needs for the planned senior center. Wilcoxson said it is important that the town's seniors attend this meeting.
The second is at 6 p.m. Aug. 10. The topic for that meeting is the rehabilitation grant being used to convert the Community Building into the senior center.
