Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Town Council said Tuesday it is starting to get back the surveys that were sent out last month for identification of sewer connections.
The council hopes to get all surveys in by Aug. 11.
Also, the town needs to inspect residents' sump pumps and determine whether the pump goes through the sewer or storm drains. The inspection will begin next week. Bart Jones of the Street Department will be the town representative to oversee this project.
The resolution for this inspection was approved by the council.
In other business:
• The council discussed the CR 250E project. The left turn lanes at Wooster and Pierceton caused some concern.
The council was concerned about right of way acquisition issues and discussed a traffic study to find out what the issues are. They discussed whether left turn lanes at both roads are really necessary and if it would be better to put a turn lane at one road now and save the other for later.
Cost is also an issue - it would cost the town less to put both turn lanes in now instead of waiting a few years. If the turn lanes are put in now, the town has to pay only 20 percent of the cost. If the town waits to put in a turn lane, it will have to cover 100 percent of the cost.
Town Marshal Malcolm Gilbert suggested underground utilities along CR 250E to eliminate utility poles and make the street safer.
"I think it's expensive but definitely a safety thing," said town attorney Jim Walmer.
• The condemned house at 104 15th St. passed inspection with minimum standards. However, there are still violations on the outside of the house. The Health Department paid for the dumpsters to haul away the trash in the house.
• The council approved a bid of $2,000 for lot 108 12th Street. The bid was made by Bill Hoy, who owns the lot next to it. His was the only bid received and he plans to join the two lots and build a house. This request will go through the Board of Zoning Appeals for variance.
The bid was accepted with the restriction that Hoy stick with his to build on both lots and not just one.
• A request to vacate 10th Street behind the Free Methodist Church of Winona Lake was approved.
Representing the church was attorney David Kolbe. He said the only residents this vacation would affect are Richard and Tammy Koontz. Technically half the road belongs to them. They have signed a waiver to agree to the vacation.
"It is really of no use to the town," said Kolbe. He pointed out that the only primary benefit would be for the church. With the road vacated it would also be much safer for children who play in that area.
The main reason for vacation is safety, Kolbe said. "We have no specific plan intended," he said of the vacation.
• Southtown resident Denny Daniels was approved as president of the Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission.
• Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks requested approval to advertise the estimated 2001 budget.
The preliminary budget hearing will be Aug. 22 and the passing of the budget will be Sept. 12.
"We're right on schedule," said Hicks.
The estimated budget is $1.875 million.
• Town engineer Larry Long went over a list of future projects that need to be done around Winona Lake. In priority order the list includes: College Avenue reconstruction; Chestnut Street reconstruction; King's Highway; Faunn and Lake John Circle; Lakeview Area; Southfield, Westwood, Winona Beach Road and Western; School Street; and Stonehenge Streets, initial maintenance and asphalt overlay.
Preliminary construction costs are estimated to be approximately $1.1 million.
Winona Lake Town Council members are: president Jerry Clevenger, Jeff Carroll, David Delp, Craig Snow and Rolly Ortega. Craig Allebach is town manager.
