WINONA LAKE - With the recent tornado in southern Indiana, Winona Lake Town Council discussed the need to replace its existing tornado siren during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Town council president Randy Swanson said the town received a question from a Southtown Addition resident who wondered if the town had an adequate system to alert residents of a tornado.
Allebach said that a year ago the previous town council discussed the need for upgrading its tornado siren after the Joplin, Mo., tornado.
J & K Communication, Columbia City, provided cost quotes for a new siren at approximately $25,000. The organization also offered a community text alert system for inclement weather in the quote.
The town has one tornado siren at the Winona Lake Fire Department across from Jefferson Elementary School.
Allebach said he spoke with officials for a rural community development grant and found the town does not meet the low income bracket to receive grant funding to replace the tornado siren.
Allebach said only half of the speakers work in the existing tornado siren.
Allebach said the county has a comprehensive plan and mapped out areas where it would like to see tornado sirens placed.
Allebach said tornado sirens are not meant only for those who are inside a building, but outside as well.
“With text messaging people can sign up with Fort Wayne and South Bend radio and television stations to get weather alerts and there has been a push to put weather radios in residences and schools,” Allebach said. “The more avenues you have on emergency notification the better.”
He said the only gap would be someone who is on the lake and might not have their cell phone with them to receive weather alerts.
Swanson suggested private donations could be directed toward upgrading the current tornado siren if a donor felt it was a worthy need.
Councilman John Boal said he spoke a while ago with Ed Rock, emergency management director, who informed him that the county has funding available for free weather radios offered for low- to moderate-income families.
Boal said this would accommodate residents who do not have texting capabilities.
Allebach said he will talk to Rock about obtaining the weather radios for low-income residents.
Councilman Bruce Shaffner said he attended the Winona Lake shop owners meeting Tuesday and the question of where to direct customers when a storm arises came up.
Shaffner said he suggested the shop owners talk to Town Marshal Paul Schmitt regarding a centralized location to send customers to.
Schmitt said the town has a disaster plan currently that has been developed with the cooperation of Grace College. There are buildings that have been designated as storm shelters, Schmitt said.
Allebach suggested Schmitt meet with shop owners to go over the disaster plan shelter locations.
Shaffner said there have been instances of bad weather during the Winona Lake Art fair when tents are set up and a significant amount of people attend the fair.
Allebach said the restrooms at Rodeheaver Auditorium could be opened up as a storm shelter.
Also during the meeting, Larry Long, town engineer, provided an update on street projects. He said for the Prestwick stormwater pumping station project the contract is in place and materials have been ordered. The project will begin shortly.
The Wooster Road pumping station project was redesigned and the pumping station moved to the north side of Wooster Road.
A storm drainage issue on the 1700 block of Park Avenue has been completed and a storm pipe has been installed. Long also said the Prestwick Street reconstruction project is in the design phase and in the next 30 days he will seek approval from the council for authorization for the town to seek bids for the project.
Pete O’Connell, street superintendent, provided the council with a 2011 Public Works Department annual report. He said the street department will have its leaf machine out the last week of March.
In other business, the council approved extending patrol officer Malcolm Gilbert’s vacation from 2011 into 2012 for five days vacation. Gilbert was not able to use that vacation time when he covered duties for patrolman John Leeper who was training at the police academy.
Boal requested the town’s fire chief attend the council meetings to provide an update on fire responses.
Councilman Greg Winn said the tree commission met and spoke about what NIPSCO’s rules are on cutting down trees in the town. He said NIPSCO informed the town that if they must cut down a tree they will provide funding to replace it.
Winona Happenings include the National Christian College Athletic Association Division 1 Basketball National Championship at the Orthopaedic Capital Center today through Saturday; World Compassion Network 5K Run/Walk for Hunger March 24 at 10 a.m.; and Winona Lake Easter Egg Hunt at Winona Lake Park March 31 at 10 a.m.
