Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Members of the Winona Lake Town Council approved two contract agreements with Wayne Township during their Tuesday meeting, though certain members questioned the payment totals for certain services.
The contract in question consisted of a fire service agreement, which would hold Winona responsible for responding with equipment and volunteer staff to extinguish fires in the Wayne township area. The council approved the agreement, totaling $12,700, but had anticipated an increase in the service payment to compensate for rising operating and equipment costs.
"It's disappointing that our funding is going down, while our expenditures are going up," council member Jerry Clevenger said. "But it's tough to criticize a government, especially when they're in your backyard."
Also approved was a $7,000 agreement with the township for parks and recreational services. These funds will be used for summer programs, supplies, and equipment maintenance for Winona Lake Park.
Both the fire and parks agreements are annual contracts and last until Dec. 31.
An additional agreement was approved with Stro-Bro Inc., which owns the Shell gas station on U.S. 30.
Because of the expected construction to begin along CR 250E for the Lake City Greenway project, the town agreed to leave one lane of traffic open on the road to provide an entrance and exit to the station.
Upon the approval of the agreement, Stro Bro Inc. will now provide needed rights of way to the town for construction purposes.
In other matters, the board approved a contract with town engineer Larry Long for services in the 2006 year. Long said hourly fees would not increase from the 2005 contract.
Present council members for Tuesday's meeting were Clevenger, Rolly Ortega, Joy Lohse and David Delp. Jeff Carroll was absent.
The next meeting is Jan. 24 at 7 a.m. in the town hall.
