Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Jerry and Jan Nelson wade to their cars after any significant amount of rainfall and asked the town council Tuesday to bring an end to this practice.
The Nelsons' Winona Lake island home, 1021 Court Circle, is located at the lowest point on the island. Court Circle, a 12-foot-wide former gravel alley, has no curbs or gutters. Their parking area is across the street.
"We have a very serious water problem," said Jan Nelson, presenting photographs of the front of their house taken recently. A yardstick in the pictures indicated 3 inches of standing water covering the street. "There is no way to get out of my house without walking through water."
Town engineer Larry Long said when the island streets were paved five years ago, Court Circle was too narrow to install guttering, nor was there enough elevation to install drainage to the catch basin on the curve.
"It may be possible to put in a drain," Long said, saying a tree by the street might be lost during the process. "That should alleviate 90 percent of the problem."
Jerry Nelson, who also is a professional engineer, commented that the catch basin is on the high point of the island and the sealed sanitary sewer manhole is at the lowest point, right across from his front door.
He said he knew how to draw off the water quickly, with a little hole punch to the sanitary cap, but he doubts that would be legal.
""We're the only year-round residents," Nelson said. "I don't think you're going to solve the problem until you raise the sanitary sewer. In the end a drainage pipe will put a band-aid on the problem. The low spot is dead center to the house."
The Nelsons have owned the house since 1997.
Councilman Rolly Ortega asked Long to come up with a couple of scenarios to alleviate the problem.
The board approved vacation of the unimproved alley, running north and south, between West Canal and Court streets, at the request of Art Gakstatter.
Long advised the council that the utility easements are permanent and should remain that way if the town or a utility company ever had to install services.
Attorney Richard Helm represented Gakstatter.
In other business, the council:
• Approved Phase 2 of Lexington Manor subdivision.
• Approved Resolution 2003-5-1 to transfer $75,000 from the wastewater operating fund to the tax increment financing fund, an amount to be returned to the wastewater fund by the end of the year. The money represents the fair market value, as determined by three assessors, for 800 Park Ave. (see accompanying article).
• Tabled an ordinance regulating Dumpsters as presented by town attorney Jim Walmer.
Councilman Jerry Clevenger said he knows of a Dumpster in the front yard of a Sixth Street residence that has been there for six months.
Town building commissioner Dick Leaf said there already are town ordinances regarding Dumpster placement and removal. He said he gets calls regarding the Sixth Street Dumpster every day, beginning at 8:15 a.m.
• Accepted a donation of a 1992 Ford Crown Victoria from the Car Co. with 117,000 miles recorded. Town marshal Malcolm Gilbert said the vehicle would replace the 1995 squad car with 175,000 miles.
The department's five squad cars have 56,000, 97,000, 123,000, 140,000 and 175,000 miles.
Cuts in the department's budget prevented ordering a new squad car this year.
• Upcoming events in town were given as: sailboat regatta on the lake, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Scottish Rite Bagpipes and Drums in the Artisan Court, Saturday, 1 p.m.; Guitar Woodies in the Artisan Court, May 24, 1 p.m.; Sax Maniacs in the Artisan Court, May 31, 1 p.m.; park activity registration June 2 through 6 with classes beginning June 9; Village at Winona Art Fair, June 7 and 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Billy Sunday Festival, June 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the Harry Burgess Trio in the Artisan Court, June 14, 1 p.m.
Town council members are Craig Snow, Rolly Ortega, Jerry Clevenger and Jeff Carroll. David Delp was absent.
