Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Increased rental rates for the Senior Center were approved by the town council Tuesday, six months after the first set was established.
The Senior Center holds 150 people and the new rates are comparable to leasing the Fireman's Building in Warsaw, which has a capacity of 100.
Weekly rentals increased $10, from $70 to $80, with a $20 kitchen use fee, and weekend rentals went from $100 to $175, with a $25 kitchen use fee. The damage deposit doubled to $150 from $75.
Not-for-profit organizations may still rent the facility for $70 during the week. Not-for-profit weekend rentals rates increased from $70 to $175. The damage deposit for non-profits remained the same at $75.
Potential lessors must be 21 years old and provide a driver's license identification and proof of insurance.
The board also approved $44,385 in change orders to the sanitary sewer-storm drain work under way. The changes were requested by Wessler and Associates, engineers for the project.
Town engineer Larry Long asked why the problems weren't discovered during the initial study.
Craig Allebach, town coordinator, said each section is now being videotaped and only a few sections were on camera during the study.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a request by NIPSCO to postpone the usual $1,000 deposit to install a gas line. All but $50 is returned to a petitioner when street repair work is finished to the town's satisfaction.
Although he didn't vote against the postponement, councilman Jerry Clevenger jokingly suggested a few of the council members postpone their utility bill payments this month.
• Gave conditional approval of Section 4 - 11 lots - in the Lexington Manor residential subdivision, west of CR 250E. The area is being developed by Willie's Homes and a $76,000 performance bond for street, infrastructure and utility installation was set by the town.
Town attorney Jim Walmer said an irrevocable letter of credit or certified check should be made out in the bond amount and that a business check was not sufficient.
Approval is also subject to Long's estimate of infrastructure costs if it falls upon the town to complete the work.
• Approved purchase of a lawn mower for the park department at a cost of $7,600 with trade-in and discounts from Argonne Equipment.
• Approved Ordinance 2003-2-1, raising the hours for employees considered full-time from 30 hours to 35 hours.
• Approved Ordinance 2003-2-3, adding a $10 fee to transient merchants (vendors) if electricity is required for their set-up.
• Heard from Long regarding the bridge over Wyland ditch. Long said the county will pay for repairs or replacement once it's placed on the bridge list. Placement on the list, Long said, requires a preliminary design and study of the topography.
The work was approved, not to exceed $1,500.
Long recommended the new bridge be wider and include a walkway to tie it in to the upcoming greenway project.
• Heard upcoming events:
Grace Community Orchestra Children's Concert, 7 p.m. March 22 in Rodeheaver Auditorium, featuring the works of John Phillips Sousa.
Lakeland Community Concert with pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi, 7:30 p.m. March 14 in Rodeheaver Auditorium.
Community Appreciation Dinner at the Senior Center, 6 p.m. March 28, featuring Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, artistic director of the MasterWorks Festival.
Winona Lake town council members are: David Delp, Rolly Ortega, Jerry Clevenger, Craig Snow and Jeff Carroll.
