Winona Studies Town Garbage, Recycling Service Fee Increase
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council discussed increasing the town's garbage and recycling service fee for residents Tuesday.
The current user rate fee for garbage and recycling services from Allied Services is $7.89 per unit per month, and the fee could increase by $4 to $11.89 per unit per month if approved by the council.
The current garbage and recycling service contract expires Saturday, according to Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks.The town currently covers the fees through property taxes, but now may need to charge residents for the services due to the town not receiving revenues until October.
"As the state tightens our belts, the town doesn't have the revenue and funds to absorb the user fees," she said.
Hicks said the rate will not be determined until the council approves its 2008 budget.
The council also:
n Approved a $6,500 payment to be used for purchasing a Lake City Honda Mule, an ATV vehicle, for maintenance on the greenway's Heritage Trail. Street Superintendent Pete O'Connel said the town will use the vehicle to haul garbage during events in the town, snow plowing and sweep the greenway trail.
n Approved a resolution to transfer $175,000 from the wastewater fund to the general fund to cover expenses until the certificates of deposits are due.
n Approved a proposal for confirmation sampling from ATC Associates not to exceed $3,563. In 1997, the Winona Lake street department had underground storage tanks removed. In the last couple of months, the town received a violation letter from Indiana Department of Environmental Management stating soil borings need to be conducted at the area.
n Approved a $6,975 contract for Cripe Excavating to complete storm sewer work on Wooster Road. The Winona Lake Street Department will complete the seeding work.
n Tabled approving an ordinance to establish a one-way street on Park Avenue from Cherry Avenue South to Lakeshore, continuing south on Lakeshore to Hamilton Boulevard, and then onto Hamilton Boulevard to Cherry Street.
The town had an inquiry from the Warsaw Community School Bus Garage to consider to make the area a one-way street due to the narrowness of the road.
Allebach said he will talk to the residents in the area about the proposal, and the issue will be discussed at the council's July meeting.
Upcoming events in the town include MasterWorks Festival through July 21; A Brass Era Car Club tour in the Village at Winona Thursday; a Firecracker 5K race at Winona Lake Park at 8 a.m., the Winona Lake Great Fourth of July Celebration at Winona Lake Park, and fireworks at dusk over Winona Lake all this Saturday.
