From left are Tecy Banta, Craig Allebach, Rick Swaim, Denny Duncan, Jim Lancaster and Heather James.

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake’s Town Board took a few moments at the beginning of its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, May 21, to pay homage to the town’s longtime fire chief, who lost his life May 5 in a work-related accident.

The chair Titus used during meetings was tipped up and a white rose and photo of Titus occupied the fire chief’s normal place at the board table.

“You notice we have his picture and a flower and we want to open tonight with a moment of silence,” said Board President Rick Swaim.

Following the tribute, the board turned its focus to Town Coordinator Craig Allebach, who reported to the board about upcoming events, not the least of which is an event on Wednesday, May 22 that will cap off one of the town’s proudest and recent beautification efforts.

“Tomorrow, during the day, from 8 (a.m.) to 3 (p.m.) we have Come Mulch With Us,” said Allebach. “It’s kind of the last piece of the shoreline project.”

The project is a result of years of planning and efforts from the Watershed Foundation and other Winona Lake volunteers and stakeholders to reconstruct 500 feet of the town’s Limitless Park.

“For those of you who haven’t had a chance to get down there, you need to get down there and see that, it’s awesome,” Allebach continued. “It’s really kind of breathtaking, almost the magnitude of work that has been put into protecting our shoreline and our environment.”

Allebach read a letter written by the town’s Park Director Holly Hummitch, who expressed her appreciation for all the community help with the project.

The board also approved the purchase of a new trailer for the street department.