WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council approved Tuesday the town accepting the donation of a property.
Councilman Randy Swanson made the motion to accept the donation of the home that is owned by Mike Arnolt, and councilman Bruce Shaffner seconded the motion.
The home is vacant and is at 301 Fifth St., Winona Lake.
Besides the town accepting the donation, the motion also was for the town to cover taxes and utilities for up to three months, and legal costs for the title transfer on the property.
Council President Terry Howie and councilwoman Joy Lohse also voted in support of accepting the donation. Councilwoman Sue Gooding was absent during Tuesday's meeting.
The town still needs to decide how it will use the property.
In other business, the council approved a resolution for Christmas bonuses of $275 for Paul Schmitt, Malcolm Gilbert, Joe Bumbaugh, Mike Foster, Brad Kellar, Ellen Swaim, Kimberly Kotzenmoyer, Dick Leaf, Craig Allebach, Retha Hicks and Holly Hummitch.
The council also approved a resolution to transfer funds from the general fire fund to the general fund.
The council tabled a resolution for salaries for town employees and an ordinance for fixing salaries of certain employees.
The council reviewed a policy and procedure manual for vacation time for town employees.
The council will discuss and review the vacation time policy at another meeting.
Pete O'Connell, public works director, said leaf pickup has been going well and he has not received any complaints. He also said the department is prepared with salt for the winter.
O'Connell said Severn Trent's assessment of the town's wastewater infrastructure will be reviewed at the council's December meeting.
A holiday open house will be Dec. 4 in the Village At Winona. A free concert is at Rodeheaver Auditorium Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. organized by Morning Optimists where Barbershop Quartet, and a brass ensemble will perform.
