Attorney Stephen Snyder explains a petition to vacate a portion of Hamilton Boulevard.

WINONA LAKE — During the Winona Lake Town Council meeting held Tuesday, July 18, a hearing was held on the vacation of a portion of Hamilton Boulevard.

Attorney Stephen Snyder, speaking on behalf of Jean Galliers Trust, filed a motion for a vacation of a portion of Hamilton Boulevard.

The Galliers Trust owns the land adjacent to the property and have been paying taxes on the land.

Snyder explained the purpose of the vacation is to resolve the issue of who has the right to use that property. Despite the fact that the Galliers Trust pays taxes on the strip of lakefront property, the land is still considered a right-of-way.

Snyder explained the Galliers’ have maintained that portion of land and the boat ramp located the property.

Snyder proposed an ordinance that would include vacating everything other than the portion of Lakeshore Drive. The ordinance would require the Galliers Trust and successors keep the boat ramp in existence as it has been historically.

The issue was tabled until the next meeting.

The 2018 Town of Winona Lake budget calendar was announced. The first meetings on the 2018 budget will be a special council budget study session that will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Winona Lake City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Other News

• Town engineer Larry Long is anticipating his retirement in September. Long has recommended the town work with T.G Engineering for future projects.
• The Festival of Music, Jazz in the Village, will be held on July 29.
• The Festival of Music, instrumental, will be held at the Winona Lake Heritage Room at 7 p.m. Aug. 8.
• The Opt In Live 5K will begin at the Limitless Park at 8 a.m. Aug. 12.
• The Village Sidewalk Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 26.
• A woman speaking on behalf of four Winona Lake homeowners voiced concern over vehicles driving through a “cut through” alley on Canal and Court Streets at high speeds. She indicated the council should consider making the cut through available only to pedestrians. The issue was tabled for the next meeting.