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WINONA LAKE - With a broken septic system in the middle of December, Dale DeGroff, owner of the property at 318 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, is between what he said is "a rock and a hard place."
DeGroff went before the Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday to weigh options for an immediate and affordable solution to his septic dilemma.
After discovering an existing sewer line on his property connected to a private system at Merrywood Mobile Home Park, DeGroff asked the council if an agreement could be reached to allow service at the residence until a more permanent fix can be found.
"I've contacted the county about a new septic system. I'm studying all possible avenues, this being one of them," DeGroff said. "I'm between a rock and a hard place and I'm asking for help."
DeGroff currently rents the property to residents who have been at the location for three years and have expressed the desire not to move if possible.
But unless a solution is found in the near future, DeGroff said he will be forced to make them leave the property.
Town coordinator Craig Allebach said Larry Long, town engineer, will look into the matter as soon as possible. The council will rely on Long's recommendation, and take action based on Long's findings.
A public hearing for a vacation ordinance also took place during the meeting, with attorney Tom Earhart representing Rob and Kristy Zink, 443 N. Lincoln Park, Warsaw.
The Zinks requested the vacation of right of way to establish a new drainage easement on their property.
The council voted unanimously to approve the request, with conditions that the Zinks pay for easement costs and sign an agreement with the town after the vacation is completed.
Public Works Superintendent Pete O'Connell discussed an idea of uniform parking during times of heavy snowfall. O'Connell stressed the importance of being able to plow half sections of roadways, and said little improvement could be made to roads with cars parked along both curbs.
The council made no decision on the matter, but members said more information will be collected and the topic will be brought up again at a future meeting.
Before adjourning for the evening, Allebach asked if the board had any interest in advertising inside of an annual information pamphlet created by the Kosciusko County Visitors Bureau. Members expressed interest and will discuss the topic again in 2006.
Members are Jeff Carroll, Jerry Clevenger, David Delp, Joy Lohse and Rolly Ortega.
The next meeting is Dec. 27 at 7 a.m. in Winona's town hall.
