WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake residents Bambi and Rick Wright approached the Winona Lake Town Council again Tuesday regarding flooding in their basement.
The Wrights, 1705 Chestnut Ave., previously expressed their concerns at the council's March 11 meeting.
They said they experienced flooding in their basement since January. The Wrights contacted the town about the water flowing from a pipe into the home, which was installed when the Greenway Trail went in.Tuesday, town engineer Larry Long said since the last meeting, he and Town Coordinator Craig Allebach looked at the drainage pipe.
Long said where the Wrights' home is located, there is a low spot that has been there previously.
"The Greenway did not contribute to that problem, however it may appear that it does," he said.
Prior to the March 11 meeting, the Wrights contacted Public Works Director Pete O'Connell, who set up sand bags around the pipe.
Bambi said, "We are not out to get the town, we are out to get that drain functioning."
She said the couple supports the Greenway, but acknowledges the drainage problem started after the Greenway was installed.
Long said after looking at the drainage pipe, his solution would be to install a flap gate on the pipe, keeping the water from coming back the opposite way.
The Wrights said they never had problems with flooding before, but Bambi said they are seeking answers and solutions to the flooding problems and concerns.
Council President Joy Lohse said the town will give the couple the number for GAI Consultants, who engineered the Greenway.
In other business, O'Connell said town employees will have the leaf machine out Thursday, Friday and Monday to collect leaves.
Residents are encouraged to rake leaves to the curb. After Monday, they must bag the leaves. The town also will pick up tree limbs. Residents need to move trimmings to the roadside for pick-up.
The Kosciusko County Recycling Depot will extend their hours April 19-26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items can be dropped off at 220 S. Union St.
In other business, Town Marshal Paul Schmidt announced Winona Lake Police Department Reserve Officer Nick McKinley will resign April 15 and join the South Bend Police Department.
The council also approved Schmidt to be allowed to hire a part-time employee if needed to cover a shift in the instance of another officer not being able to work a shift because of sickness or being at training.
Schmidt also requested the town consider an ordinance banning skateboarding on public property.
The council approved the purchase of a camera to videotape wastewater lines. The cost for the wastewater line locator, roller skid and camera is $10,549. The items will be purchased from Team EJP, Fort Wayne.
Lohse said the town's residents will receive a town newsletter by the end of this week that will include town events.
Upcoming events in the town include a town hall meeting at Grace Village Tuesday at 6 p.m.; Symphony of the Lakes Concert at Rodeheaver Auditorium April 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Earth Day activities at 1000 Park Avenue April 20 at 2 p.m.; Winona Lake Preservation meeting at Ramada Inn April 22 at 7 p.m.; and Winona Lake Cleanup Day April 26.
