From left are Peter Cristos, Craig Allebach, Bruce Shaffner, Rick Swain and Denny Duncan.

WINONA — The Winona Lake Police Department has purchased six new body cameras and five videos cameras for their police cars. During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, town marshal Joe Hawn announced the WLPD had received grants that enabled the department to make the purchases. They are in the process of installing the new video cameras on the police cars.

Council member Robert Swanson resigned from his position, effective at the end of the year. Swanson stated he is moving to another district in Winona Lake, making him ineligible to hold his seat on the council.

Town coordinator Craig Allebach brought up the previously mentioned amendment to the zoning ordinance. The changes area planned to be as follows:

• Lower housing from six to four members of unrelated persons in a single family.
• No car ports will be allowed in front yards.
• No canvas covered structures will be allowed to be used as garages or storage sheds.
• Wood burning boilers are not to be used in garages or sheds.
• When housing unrelated persons in a rental, it will be required each vehicle beyond two, associated with the rental, have available car space.
• Clotheslines will not be permitted in front yards.

Council member Peter Cristos asked whether the changes would affect those who currently have items such as boilers in their garage or whether the amendment only applied to those who would be putting boilers in their garage. Allebach stated most of the changes will not affect existing issues, as there are few violations right now, rather the changes are going to be “grandfathered in.”

In order for this amendment to go into effect, the planning commission will need to hold a public hearing on the changes.

The council discussed an issue with fixing the roof on the Winona Lake Fire Department building. Fire chief Mitch Titus said the roof had been leaking and was waiting to see what would be the best solution for the fix. It was mentioned that the street department also had a leaky roof. The council indicated they would be getting estimates for the repairs.

The council had to approve the final payments for the construction projects on Wildwood Lane and Sandra Lane. The payments are to cover the extra expenses that were not in the original estimate. The council unanimously approved the final payment for Wildwood lane at $1,619.15, a 3 percent increase for the total project cost. The council also unanimously approved the final payment for $12,092.48, a 1.7 percent increase, for the Sandra Lane project.

Town member Jan Nelson came before the council to ask why the board had not made a decision whether to make Twelve Street either a one way street or ban parking on one side of the street.

Nelson also mentioned the signage for residents turning on Court street is confusing to because it says, “One way, residents only.”

“You have got to look at that corner and straighten it out,” said Nelson.

The council mentioned they were going to take another look at the issue in June when there is significantly more traffic in the area.

Other News:

• The council approved the vacation of two parcels in front of property owned by the Hanns at 1210 Chestnut Street, Winona Lake.
• The council approved the vacation of two parcels in front of property owned by the LeMasters at 303 Esplanade Street, Winona Lake.
• The council approved keeping the contract for the town attorney the same as the previous year in 2017.
• The street department purchased a skid and will be using environmental and pet friendly salt on the greenway and in front of the town hall.
• The council unanimously approved the fire department’s purchase of air packs.