Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Bill Holder, the county's geographic information system coordinator, presented an aerial color photograph to the Winona Lake town council Tuesday.
Produced by Woolpert LLP, the framed, 24-inch by 42-inch image was taken in May from above the lake, facing east.
Buildings half a mile distant are pictured in as much detail as the homes on the island.
Holder said the latest generation of aerial photographs of the county will be available in October with the town's images ready in November.
The county paid half a million dollars for the service, with Warsaw kicking in $20,000 for infrastructure mapping.
Holder said all towns will have access to the information, and companies contracted by officials will be given information free of charge. The images also are available to the public.
Town attorney Jim Walmer advised everyone not to use the overhead shots as a true guide to property lines. He cautioned that a survey of the land will still be required for legal purposes.
The town is applying for a $325,000 loan from the Environmental Remediation Revolving Loan Fund through the Indiana Development Finance Authority. The loan will serve as matching funds and will be finalized on receipt of Community Development Building Grant funds from the Indiana Department of Commerce. The money will be used to complete remediation of the Gatke dump site on Wooster Road.
According to town coordinator Craig Allebach, the five-acre area will be capped with clay, asphalted and used as a parking lot by Grace College. The low interest loan payments will be covered by Grace.
The grant application is due Aug. 2, with awards announced in December.
Allebach said all preliminary work has been paid for through grants and in-kind services.
GAI Consultants has provided engineering at the site. GAI representatives Kirk McCutcheon and Bill Spohn attended the council meeting along with Tom Dunn of Grace College.
McCutcheon said a "geo-textile" will be laid under the clay, preventing any surface water from soaking through and contaminating groundwater.
The cleanup monies are part of a federal program designed to eliminate slums and blight. Locally the former Gatke manufacturing site off Winona Avenue in Warsaw is undergoing rehabilitation and was used as a brownsfield pilot project.
In other business, the board:
• Proceeded with the voluntary annexation of Heritage Lakes Subdivision. The annexation will be complete in 60 days. A fiscal plan and policy for capital and noncapital services was adopted by the council July 9.
• Town events were given as appearances in the Artisan Court by: Cas & Co., July 27, 1 to 4 p.m.; Patrick Woods, Aug. 3, 1 p.m.; Deb Collier's Dance performance, Aug. 10, 2 p.m.; and Jeff VanHouten, Aug. 17, 1 p.m.
• Heard that the extensive Chestnut Street rehabilitation project should begin in 30 days.
Town council members are Rolly Ortega, Jerry Clevenger, David Delp, Craig Snow and Jeff Carroll.
