WINONA LAKE — Members of the Winona Lake Town Council have decided to give the town’s parks department the salary raise that was originally coming to the council.

The vote was unanimous that the money should go to parks department employees, who are making roughly $300 per year for their work.

Other salaries approved under the ordinance included the town marshal with a base salary of $2,191.85. Clerk-treasurer Kent Adams chose to forego his salary increase

The council also voted on a resolution increasing the hourly pay of other town heads, including the chief deputy clerk at $1,535.11, the utility clerk at $19.09, the deputy clerk at $19.09, the park and senior center director at $19.09, the building commissioner at $25.91 and part-time park employees at $8.75.

Despite the absence of Town Coordinator Craig Allebach, his salary came under extensive discussion, with council members initially undecided as to whether or not his pay should go up in 2016.

Some noted Allebach often works extra hours due to the demands of his job. Opponents of the decision said Allebach already makes more than Warsaw’s mayor. Others felt this wan an unfair comparison. In the end, the vote was 3-1 in favor of increasing Allebach’s pay to $2,752.28 bi-weekly.

Next, council members approved a request by Holly Hummich of the Winona Lake Limitless Park committee for funds to help with a grant that will allow them to purchase the largest piece of playground equipment at half-off. Hummich’s original request was for $6,726.96, however the council amended the wording to allow for up to $10,000.

Other funds have been granted for Limitless Park, which will have a community build day in the spring to assemble the playground equipment.

Husband-wife duo David and Missy Mitchell were sworn in as reserve officers for the Winona Lake Police Department. They previously served in that capacity in Syracuse.

Concerns also came up pertaining to leaf pickup, with residents of a local senior community wanting to know why the leaves in their area have not yet been picked up. Street Superintendent Tom Miller replied that employees have been working hard and putting in additional hours to get the job done.

Concerns also came up that one of the department’s leaf trucks has been broken down since summer, which Miller said was incorrect. Miller said he would address the situation first thing in the morning.

Other News

• The council approved bids for two street resurfacing projects, slated to begin next spring. The first project was awarded to Niblock Excavating in the amount of $25,529 to resurface part Robson Road.
• The second also went to Niblock in the amount of $39,933.12 for part of Wooster Road, including a crosswalk frequently used by Grace College students.
• The council approved the annual Terminal Services agreement pertaining to technology in police cars.