WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday night held a public hearing for its proposed budget for 2009.
The proposed general fund budget totals $1,253,340.
The motor vehicle highway totals $679,245; $92,438 for local road and streets; $35,500 for park and recreation; $280,000 for Economic Development Income Tax fund; $100,000 for riverboat fund; and $200,000 for the rainy day fund.Other proposed funds include $2,500 for local law enforcement education, $250,000 for cumulative capital development and $225,000 for Winona Lake redevelopment bond distribution.
Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks said the budget will be approved at the Sept. 23 meeting.
Town Engineer Larry Long discussed street improvements in the town for Prestwick and Murfield subdivisions and Pierceton Road.
The Prestwick project will include total reconstruction of the streets in the subdivision and storm drainage improvements. The Murfield subdivision will include street pavement repair and storm drainage improvements and an asphalt overlay on Pierceton Road.
Long presented a schedule for street improvements including establishing a wage scale for the projects and advertising for bids Sept. 23; bid opening and beginning the bond sale process Oct. 14; awarding and signing the contract and issuing a notice to proceed Nov. 25; and completing construction Aug. 1, 2009.
Chris Harrison, Indiana America Water Co., said there will be an 8-inch water main installed along Chestnut Street. He also said a new fire hydrant will be installed along Terrace Drive.
"The hydrant will provide better water pressure and water quality," Harrison said.
Rolly Ortega, 705 Terrace Drive, requested the town put a no outlet sign at the entrance of Chestnut Street to inform vehicles the street dead ends. Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said a sign will be installed.
The council also approved a $5,762 contract with Building Remodeling Services, Warsaw, to install storm windows at the Winona Lake Senior Center.
Art Gakstatter, 1208 Canal St., suggested during the meeting the town consider seeking a cost to bury utility lines in the town.
"I agree the lines could be consolidated and buried for safety," said Council President Joy Lohse.
Leaf pickup in the town begins Monday. Residents should bag leaves close to the curb without getting them in street.
In other business, the council approved a $11,506 contract with Phend & Brown to install a retention wall at CR 250E and Wooster Road.
Upcoming events in the town include The Lake City Marathon Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Winona Lake Park; a Winona Lake recycling day at the Winona Lake Street department from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light The Night Walk in Winona Lake, Sept. 18; Fall Sailboat Regatta, Sept. 20; mountain bike races, Sept. 27; and flu shots for $20 at Winona Lake Senior Center Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to noon.
