WINONA LAKE – Parks Department Director Holly Hummitch Tuesday asked the Winona Lake Town Council for funds for playground equipment and ended up with more than she requested. “The park has been given the opportunity to take advantage of a grant through Gametime for our largest piece of play structure that would go in the new playground portion,” she explained. “We would be able to get that piece of equipment for 50 percent of cost.” Hummitch said after the park department went through its fund balance and meeting with the clerk’s office, “we came up a little short.” She requested $6,726.96 from the Casino & Riverboat Fund. Originally, she said they also needed funds to pay for freight, but Metzger Trucking donated that, saving them about $5,000. Councilman Bruce Shaffner asked what was the original cost of the piece of equipment. She said it was $113,274, but they can get it for $56,637. Hummitch displayed a photo of the equipment and said, “It’ll be our biggest piece that we have.” Of the $113,274, Councilman Peter Christos asked if all the other expenses were covered but the $6,726.96. “Correct. With our fund balance, we also have three grants that we have recently been awarded and we just received $45,000 from there, so we’re just short about $7,000,” Hummitch answered. The excitement has died down a little bit after the Splash Pad was installed, but Hummitch said she hopes this will “reignite the excitement.” She said the grant has to be awarded within the next week so there is a limited timeframe for them to qualify for the discount. Clerk-Treasurer Kent Adams said there is money in the fund for the request. He recommended the council round the request up to $7,000, and Councilman Terry Howie made a motion to approve up to $10,000 for it. The motion was approved. Resident Rick Swaim said there will be a community build for the playground in the spring. “This entire project will actually save a substantial amount of money,” Hummitch said. “To do a community build, it’s only about $3,400. So rather than paying for installation, it would invite members of the community to come take part and actually have hands-on experience.” In other business: • Town engineer Larry Long presented two bids for the Wooster Road project that starts at Presidential Drive and goes west past the Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center to about 40 feet west of the main pedestrian crosswalk. Niblock Excavating was the lowest bidder at $39,933.12 and was approved by the council. The project will start in the spring, with funds encumbered from the 2015 budget. He also presented two bids for Robson Road asphalt resurfacing. The project includes the entire stretch of Robson Road from Kings Highway to the east end, about 7,200 feet. The bid was awarded to Niblock Excavating for $25,529. The money for the project, which will start in spring, will be encumbered from 2015 funds. Long also reported on the Chestnut Avenue parking lot construction project. The sewer line discussed at the October meeting has been replaced, and the asphalt parking lot base has been placed and graded out. Asphalt may be laid today, weather permitting. On Robson Road, where the council approved a storm drainage project that is currently under contract, Long said utilities have been located and workers will get out there “shortly.” • Town attorney Jim Walmer swore in new reserve officers Dave and Missy Mitchell, husband and wife, of Warsaw. The two have 47 years as reserve officers between them, with Missy’s 35 and Dave’s 12. Police Chief R. Paul Schmitt said the Mitchells were reserve officers in Syracuse, but have helped Winona with some events in the summertime over the years. He said he was “tickled” to get them. “We’re going to be seeing some changes next year so this is going to allow us to make that transition when people start moving around and leaving,” Schmitt said. • The council approved the Terminal Services Data agreement related to the in-car computer equipment software in the police vehicles. Nothing has changed since last year’s agreement, Schmitt said, and Winona will pay $1,000 per year. • Christos is hosting the employee Christmas luncheon at The Boathouse, and the council had to approve his conflict of interest form. • Swanson announced Winona upcoming events include: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 20, “The End of World War II: Celebrating the Greatest Generation” concert at Winona Heritage Room; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28, The Village at Winona Christmas tree lighting; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 5, KringleFest, Winona Lake Senior Center. • Discussion from the floor included leaf pick up, pedestrian safety, a handicapped parking space in the wrong spot on Park Avenue and U-turns are legal unless otherwise posted.
