Winona Seeks Answers From NIPSCO About Tree Cutting
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE - Phone messages to Northern Indiana Public Service Company left by Winona Lake town officials over the past two weeks regarding concerns with tree cutting issues in the town have not been returned.
Council President Joy Lohse said during Tuesday morning's Winona Town Council meeting she called Jason Leitz, supervisor of forestry operations for NIPSCO, Monday morning.She said she expressed her concerns in a phone message regarding trees being cut on Winona Lake residents' private property and the lack of care when trimming or eliminating trees. Another concern was tree branches being left behind for residents to clear.
She said as of this morning, Leitz has not returned her phone message.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said he called local NIPSCO representative John Hire last week regarding the issue and was referred to Leitz. He said Leitz has not returned his phone message.
Leitz and Hire were contacted by the Times-Union Tuesday and this morning and were unable to be reached for comments.
"The town of Winona Lake understands that NIPSCO's intent is to clear main power lines to keep electricity running efficiently to our residents," Lohse said.
"The town has tried twice to contact NIPSCO's forestry division to discuss stopping the hacking of trees and to suggest simply trimming them back."
Public Works Director Pete O'Connell said he received complaints from four Winona Lake residents regarding tree limbs left behind on their property.
Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks said the town gave the residents NIPSCO's phone number and the town made attempts to contact NIPSCO on the residents' behalf, but calls were not returned.
Hicks said phone calls came from residents on Chestnut Street and a home owner on the corner of Lakeview Drive and Park Avenue.
Lohse said at the council's Feb. 12 council meeting that the town received complaints from Winona Lake residents regarding trees being cut in their yards with out the resident's approval and left behind tree limbs.
"There have been trees cut down in the town that were once healthy and we want to make sure NIPSCO discontinues aggressive tree cutting until we have a talk with them," Lohse said.
Hicks said if a tree is too large or dangerous the town requests a tree trimming vendor to come in.
If the tree is on private property, the town clears the road but the property owner must remove the remaining debris.
"When a tree falls because of wind, lightning or natural causes, and if the tree is in the right-of-way town employees cut it up," Hicks said.
In other business, councilman Terry Howie suggested the town consider putting an orange warning cone in front of a hole that is by the mailbox in front of the Winona Lake Post Office.
O'Connell said he will look into the issue.
Upcoming events in the town include a presentation of Winona Lake art by the town's artists Saturday at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
A "Chocolate March" will be in the Village at Winona March 22 where Winona Lake businesses will sell chocolates.
The Winona Lake Preservation Association annual meeting is April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza.
Winona Lake Clean-Up Day is April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon.
