WINONA LAKE — Residents attending the Winona Lake Town Council last evening, June 20, had several grievances to make known to the council.

Town Coordinator Craig Allebach stated a clarification had been made in reference to the trailer ordinance. He explained the amendment would make it clear that both unattached trailers and attached trailers would not be allowed on the streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The previous wording made it unclear whether the nightly ban from trailers on streets referred to unattached and attached trailers. The council unanimously passed a motion to change the wording.

While the ordinance was passed in 2004, recent issues with the ordinance brought a Winona Lake resident to the meeting. The Winona Lake resident stated the ordinance should be changed to allow residents to leave trailers on the street for short term projects.

“A few weeks back I rented a trailer and I got a piece of equipment that had to sit there overnight because I rented it for the weekend.” He explained the ordinance does not affect him on a regular basis, however, he felt individuals should be able to leave trailers overnight if the trailer is only needed for a short time.

Allebach explained the ordinance had been implemented in 2004 due to a lack of parking. Individuals would often leave trailers on the street for an extended period of time. It was suggested a grace period be allowed for residents who have a trailer for a short period of time. Town Marshal Joe Hawn said residents who need to leave a trailer on the street overnight should contact the police department.

“Just a little bit of communication will go a long way,” said Allebach.

Council President Bruce Shaffner opened up the meeting for floor topics, allowing several residents to voice complaints. Resident Jan Nelson expressed continued frustration with the council for the decision made last year to change the one way direction to going north on one block of Court Street.

“I am tired of driving this extra 840 feet, seven or eight times a day. It’s time for the council to start showing interest in the north end of Court Street and Court Circle,” said Nelson.

She suggested making Twelfth Street one-way going east, and that either additional signage be added to that block of Court Street or it become a gated community.

“Our three homes that we own at 1012 Court Circle, 1014 Court Circle and 1009 Court Street, they’re lost souls due to your one-way street change. Visitors and deliveries cannot find us. GPS will not get people to us. If we give people directions street by street, and they get to Twelfth and Court Street, they still meet a disaster. There is no street sign saying it is Court Street when they get to Twelfth and Court Street,” said Nelson.

An individual who resides on south end of Court Street mentioned the street became safer after the change to the one-way had occurred. She explained individuals would often turn around in the middle of the intersection because they did not know where to go.

“I understand it’s further for you to drive, and I’m sorry for that, but I feel the safety of our children is more important,” said the resident.

Another resident brought up the foul smell on Chestnut Avenue and asked what could be done about it. Street Superintendent Tom Miller mentioned a hydrogen sulfide treatment is being implemented to take away the sewer gas smell.

Resident Jim LeMasters voiced frustration with individuals who park multiple vehicles in their yards and asked if there was an ordinance against it. Allebach stated there was no ordinance prohibiting residents from parking the vehicles in the yard if the vehicles are legal.

The next town council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. July 10.

Other News

• The council approved a motion to vacate a right-of-way along Grace Avenue.
• The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Triathlon will take place from 8-11 a.m. June 24.
• Winona Lake Flotilla will take place at 7:30 p.m. June 30 at the park beach pier.
• The Winona Lake Fourth of July Celebration activities will take place July 1.
• The Festival of Music will be at 8 p.m. July 1.
• Fireworks over Winona Lake will take place at 10 p.m. July 1.