Tree Removal, Replacement Continue in Winamac Town Park

Entrance to the Winamac Town Park

New trees have been planted in the Winamac Town Park, while old trees continue to be removed. Park Manager Dave DeLorenzo told the park board last week that 15 of the park’s 18 new trees have now been planted, thanks to Proscapes Unlimited, Dave Bennett, and Park Board Member Jon Chapman. The planting was originally scheduled to take place during a park cleanup day last month, but was delayed by flooding.

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Pulaski Commissioners Schedule Hearing for Upcoming Deed Sale, Make Appointments

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

The Pulaski County Commissioners are planning to auction some county-owned land. They’re looking to hold a commissioners deed sale on August 1, but before that, they’ll hold a public hearing to set a minimum price and officially schedule the auction. The public hearing will take place Monday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Highway Garage, before the commissioners’ joint meeting with the county council.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Brace for Insurance Premium Spike

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Health insurance premiums for Pulaski County employees are expected go go up about 20 percent when it’s time to renew. Insurance agent Dave Bennett stresses that’s a best guess and a lot of factors could play into the increase. He tells the commissioners he should have hard numbers for them in mid-June so they can make a decision in July. A lot of the uncertainty, and possible increase in cost, has to do with implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. The county has offered health insurance through Cigna for several years. Commissioners asked Bennett to get rates from some other companies as well. One option the commissioners could consider if costs get too far out of hand is to no longer offer health insurance as a benefit to employees and pay $188,000 in penalties instead. Bennett stresses this isn’t really an option, as the 124 full-time employees who qualify for health insurance would expect pay raises to make up for the lost benefit.

Safe Routes to School, Winamac Receive $250,000 Grant

Dave Bennett and John Bawcum from the Safe Routes to School organization told the Winamac Town Board this week that Safe Routes and the town received a $250,000 grant.

The money will be used to pave the pathway to the depot in Winamac, possibly to State Road 14 West. Bennett shared that he has been in contact with a company to do the paving. An environmental study will also need to be done.

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Winamac Safe Routes to School Applies for Phase 2 Grant

The Winamac Safe Routes to School Task Force recently announced that they have applied for a $250,000 Infrastructure Grant to fund the completion of the Panhandle Pathway through Winamac, as well as improvements along Riverside Drive and Superior Street. These improvements were deemed necessary by planning work that was done as a part of the Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Grant that was awarded in 2010. This project will enable safer walking and cycling environments, including roads and sidewalk improvements, and the grants will cover planning, design, and engineering expenses, including consultant services.

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Winamac Safe Routes to School Applies for Phase 2 Grant

The Winamac Safe Routes to School Task Force recently announced that they have applied for a $250,000 Infrastructure Grant to fund the completion of the Panhandle Pathway through Winamac, as well as improvements along Riverside Drive and Superior Street. These improvements were deemed necessary by planning work that was done as a part of the Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Grant that was awarded in 2010. This project will enable safer walking and cycling environments, including roads and sidewalk improvements, and the grants will cover planning, design, and engineering expenses, including consultant services.

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Safe Routes to School and Panhandle Pathway Officials Continue with Project in Winamac

Dave Bennett and John Bawcum from the Panhandle Pathway and Safe Routes to School organizations reported to the Winamac Town Board on their current project.

Officials are connecting a section of the Panhandle Pathway with Superior Street to provide Eastern Pulaski School students with a safe route to school. A piece of land was acquired from a resident for the project and an easement for the project was granted. Stone is lining the pathway for now, but it will be paved when spring arrives.

Pulaski County Receives Insurance Refund

Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

Miguel Salazar and Dave Bennett from 1st Source Insurance approached the Pulaski County Commissioners with some good news this week—the county has received a refund of $97,744 on their health insurance.

This refund comes from the Signa program, which allows two-thirds of any surplus in the claims fund not used to pay claims to be refunded to the county, and will more than cover the county’s premium for November. Salazar went on to remind the commissioners that they would not have received this refund from Anthem.

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