Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - A proposed $2 increase in residential sewer rates was reluctantly approved Tuesday by Winona Lake's town council.
The matter is not final, however, since the rate increase must be advertised and public hearings held. The increase would not be effective until January.
Town council president Brent Wilcoxson questioned how much the town pays Warsaw for treatment of Winona Lake's sewage.
After a preliminary review of Warsaw's budget, Wilcoxson said, Winona Lake appeared to be approximately 12 percent of the total consumption treated at Warsaw's treatment plant, but the town pays 25 percent of the plant's total costs.
"I'm not sure we are being properly billed based on the consumption we are generating," he said.
Wilcoxson said he hopes to renegotiate Winona Lake's sewage treatment rates with Warsaw.
The council also continued to wrestle with the issue of moving the Winona Lake police department: the building housing the police department is located in an area that is under development by Winona Restoration Company.
Council members are considering the quonset hut and the lodge building, near the community building, as possible future locations for the police department. Both buildings are owned by the town's park department, and the quonset hut is used in the winter by the Northern Lakes Skating Association.
The council was scheduled to tour both buildings this morning to see if either was a viable alternative to the current headquarters.
In other business, the council:
• Agreed to dump limestone in areas on the island where sidewalks have been removed and where sand and mud have created problems for residents. The council also will send a letter to island residents informing them of the status of the street repairs and giving them an approximate schedule.
• Agreed to pay town employee Jeff Ruff for time required to testify in court on an incident he witnessed and reported to police. Ruff received a subpoena requiring him to testify, and council members agreed that he should not be penalized for doing his civic duty.
• Tabled a decision on providing insurance for Squad 70 and Haz-Mat teams when they work in Winona Lake. The council asked for more information about the coverage and how the situation is handled in other communities.
• Voted unanimously not to rent the town's street sweeper to Fairlane Mobile Home Park.
The town council will meet in the community building at 6 p.m. June 10.
