Author Archives: amandaguzman@goshencity.com

POSTPONED: Goshen City Council

Tonight’s Regular Meeting of the Goshen City Council has been POSTPONED until 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 due to inclement weather, including the U.S. National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Advisory for freezing rain and ice accumulations, which will create difficult travel conditions.

Please stay at home if possible.

The Indiana Ave. Recycling Drop-off Facility will be closed Saturday, January 13 to Tuesday, January 16 due to anticipated weather.

The Indiana Ave. Recycling Drop-off Facility will be inaccessible from Saturday, January 13, to Tuesday, January 16, due to anticipated snow and wind. Please note that this site will not undergo servicing or plowing during this period. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

GOSHEN WATER UTILITY REMINDS RESIDENTS TO GUARD AGAINST FROZEN WATER LINES.

In past years the Water Utility issued a Freeze Warning asking for people to take the precaution of running a single faucet.  During a posted Freeze Warning, utility accounts were adjusted if the customer contacted the Utility Business Office.  Because current conditions do not warrant a Freeze Warning, utility billing account adjustments are not being offered.  To prevent disruption to service, the Utility will continue to monitor the depth of the local frost line and keep customers informed if further actions become necessary via local newspapers, Goshen’s web page, goshenindiana.org, and Facebook.

The Goshen Water Utility has determined that a Freeze Warning is currently unnecessary.  However, due to the predicted cold weather, the Utility suggests that residential and commercial Water Utility customers with water services and plumbing prone to freezing leave their water run in a small stream the size of a pencil lead.  Running water from within a home or business is less likely to freeze.

 Residents are encouraged to take further precautions against frozen or busted water lines by ensuring that exposed pipes are insulted and by eliminating sources of cold air near water lines.  Areas most vulnerable to freezing are basements, crawl spaces, unheated rooms, and water lines located in or along outside walls.  To lessen the risk for water lines along outside walls within cabinets, consider leaving the cabinet doors open.

For more information please reach out to Kent Holdren, Water Utility Superintendent (574).534.5701

To guard against frozen pipes, especially during cold weather, you can take several preventive measures:

  • Insulate Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes with pipe insulation sleeves or wrapping. Focus on pipes in attics, basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.
  • Seal Leaks: Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s walls, windows, and foundation to prevent cold air from entering and reaching the pipes.
  • Keep a Constant Temperature: Maintain a consistent temperature in your home, especially during cold nights. Set your thermostat to a level that keeps the interior warm enough to prevent freezing.
  • Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks and vanities by keeping cabinet doors open during extremely cold weather.
  • Let Faucets Drip: When temperatures drop significantly, allow faucets to drip slightly. This helps relieve pressure in the pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.
  • Disconnect Outdoor Hoses: Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and shut off the outdoor water supply. This prevents water from freezing in the hose and extending into the pipes.
  • Add Heat Tape: Consider using electrical heat tape or cables on pipes that are prone to freezing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
  • Keep Doors and Windows Closed: Ensure that doors and windows are closed tightly to minimize the entry of cold air into your home.
  • Inspect Insulation: Regularly check the insulation in your home, especially in attics and basements. Ensure that it is in good condition and replace any damaged insulation.

If you suspect that your pipes are already frozen, it’s crucial to act quickly to thaw them and prevent bursting. You can use a hairdryer, heat lamp, or hot towels to thaw the affected pipes. Avoid using open flames or any methods that could cause damage.

Final Leaf Pickup of 2023

The Goshen Street Department will make one last round of leaf collecting beginning Monday, December 11. Residents who miss this round can still take their leaves to the Environmental Center.

Located at 20100 CR 19, the center accepts brush and leaves, loose or in bags, at no charge to Goshen residents. However, if leaves are bagged, the bags must be emptied.

Goshen Environmental Center

Winter hours: Dec. 1–March 31
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Please keep this information in mind when raking your leaves for pickup:

Leaf piles:

  • Rake leaves into long piles on the grass next to the street or sidewalk beside the curb, not more than 6 feet from the curb.
    • For the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, if you must pile leaves on the sidewalk, please leave as wide a walking path as possible.
  • Leaves must be kept out of the street.
    • The piles of leaves interfere with the flow of traffic.
    • Later in the autumn, if it snows, the snow plows will be forced to drive over/through the leaf piles and end up throwing leaves from the piles far back into the yard.
  • Residents and property owners that have a storm drain in front of their property are asked to keep the drain area clear of leaves. This will help reduce the chances of water backing up on City streets.
  • When finished raking, spraying the piles down with water will help keep them from blowing away during periods of high wind.
  • Bagged leaves will be collected, but it slows the city-wide collection down drastically.  The leaf vac crew has to empty the bags out in order to vacuum up the leaves and they will leave the bags on the property.
  • Do not place leaves in the alley—they will not be removed.
  • Do not put sticks, twigs and other trash into or on top of the leaf piles.  These items can damage the vacuum equipment and force crews to pluck these items from the leaves—another time-consuming task. 

Parking:

  • Never park over a leaf pile.  A hot catalytic converter can easily ignite the dry leaves and, in turn, your vehicle. 
  • Please do not park cars in front of leaf piles. The crews will not be able to collect the leaves.
  • Park cars with at least 15 feet between leaf piles and vehicles.
  • Please use off street parking during this time if available.

Goshen continues annual Mirth Tree ornament exchange

‘Tis the season for spreading joy and reducing waste in Goshen! The City of Goshen’s Department of Environmental Resilience is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Mirth Tree Ornament Exchange, a festive initiative to celebrate the holidays in an eco-friendly way.

This is the third year residents are encouraged to create ornaments from items that can be found or recycled, then hang them on the Mirth Tree to spread holiday cheer. The tree is located outside the Goshen Utilities Business Office, 203 S. 5th Street. To reduce waste, ornaments are encouraged to be made from natural or recycled materials.

If you aren’t sure where to start, get your creative juices flowing by visiting an ornament-making station. We’ll provide all the materials you need for a creative and environmentally conscious crafting session.

  • The Goshen Public Library, any time from December 1 through 22
  • The Green Bee, any time from December 1 through 22
  • The Electric Brew, Tuesday, December 12, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If you are making ornaments at home, please keep these things in mind:

  • Please refrain from using glass. We want to keep everyone safe and avoid broken glass.
  • Paper and cardboard are great materials, but the weather may ruin the ornament because the tree is outside.
  • Please do not use any glitter. While glitter appeals to the eye, its adverse effects on the environment outweigh the visual appeal.
  • Here are some suggestions for materials to use:
    • Buttons
    • Ribbons
    • Popsicle sticks
    • Wooden beads
    • Sticks, Acorns, Pinecones, and other natural materials

Starting Christmas Eve, individuals can return and take an ornament home to hang on a tree. Individuals are still welcome to take an ornament from the Mirth Tree even if they did not make one.

Join us in making a difference, one ornament at a time, and let the Mirth Tree become a symbol of joy, community, and environmental stewardship this holiday season.

Notice of Adoption of City of Goshen Ordinance 5171

Notice is given that Ordinance 5171, Amending Ordinance Violations Bureau, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on November 13, 2023, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty. Ordinance 5171 describes and continues the operation of previously established City of Goshen Ordinance Violations Bureau; establishes the City of Goshen ordinances, Goshen City Code sections, and Elkhart County Code sections (referred to individually as a “Bureau Ordinance”) that are subject to enforcement through an admission of violation before the violations clerk; assigns an appropriate civil penalty tier to the types of violations listed in the City of Goshen Bureau Ordinances Schedule and Elkhart County Bureau Ordinances Schedule; establishes the amount of civil penalties to be imposed for each civil penalty tier; and identifies the officials, employees or agents authorized to issue citations for the violation of a Bureau Ordinance. Ordinance 5171 is available for inspection in its entirety during regular business hours at the Goshen Clerk- Treasurer’s Office located at 202 S. Fifth Street, Goshen, Indiana.

ORD-5171-Notice-of-AdoptionDownload

Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 5170

Notice is given that Ordinance 5170, Regulation of Open Burning in the City of Goshen and Providing Penalties for Violations of Such Regulations, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on November 13, 2023, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty. Ordinance 5170 prohibits open burning in the City of Goshen except for specific types of open burning that are allowed under a listed exemption or an approved variance, and provided the open burning complies with specified conditions. Ordinance 5170 is available for inspection in its entirety during regular business hours at the Goshen Clerk-Treasurer’s Office located at 202 S. Fifth Street, Goshen, Indiana

ORD-5170-Notice-of-AdoptionDownload

Goshen to provide warming centers during winter months

The City of Goshen, Elkhart County Emergency Management, Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network, Faith Mission, and Goshen Public Library have teamed up to provide a place of warmth for our residents this Winter at the Goshen Public Library during normal business hours.  Please check on your friends, family, neighbors, homeless, and the elderly during the winter months. Contact the Goshen Police Department if you need assistance checking on someone.Anyone in need of shelter outside of normal Library business hours or if the library is closed, please contact the Goshen Police Department for assistance (574)536-1790 or (574) 533-8661

Goshen Public Library Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM

Tuesday: 1 PM – 8 PM

Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM

Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM