Author Archives: amandaguzman@goshencity.com

Happy New Water Year

Read the newsletter by clicking the following link: bit.ly/SWNews_Oct2023.

The goal of the Goshen Stormwater Department is clean water for everyone and everything. One way this is achieved is through public education and the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter is one of many ways this is accomplished. 

In this month’s newsletter, there are three articles:

  1. Happy New Water Year – Find out what the “water year” is and why it is important to understand how much water falls from the sky from place to place and during different seasons of the year. Additionally, find out how you can help monitor rainfall by becoming a volunteer with CoCoRaHS. 
  2. Find out the origins of the word “hydrology” in the next installment of the “Why are there so many words for waterways?” series. 
  3. The Value of Water has been calculated at $58 Trillion by the World Wildlife Foundation! Water has immense value but we continue to have “water blindness” to this important resource. Find out more.

If you have concerns about stormwater drainage or water quality issues or have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Goshen Stormwater Department at stormwater@goshencity.com or 574-534-2201.

Visit City Hall, Utilities, and Goshen Police Station during Trick or Treat Mainstreet!

Mayor Gina is excited to welcome you downtown at her office in City Hall during Trick or Treat Mainstreet from 12- 5 PM on Halloween Tuesday, October 31st 2023. Continue your route across the street to the Goshen Utilities building, followed by an opportunity to take pictures with Chase and Marshall – honorary members of the Goshen Police and Fire departments at the Goshen Police Station.

The Goshen Chamber of Commerce organizes the event, and participating stores will have orange signs on their windows.

Here is a list of participating businesses as of 10/27:
Synder’s Jewelers; L&M Hair Salon; John Hall Hardware; Sorg Jewelry; The Post; Soapy Gnome; Micheal’s Insurance Agency; Merino Law; Goshen Historical Museum; Goshen Water Department; Goshen City Hall; Op1Vet; Kruggel Lawton CPA; Woldruff’s Footwear; Woldruff’s Apparel; Edward Jones; Blissful Events; Goshen Theater; Energy Well; Goshen Chamber of Commerce; The Nut Shoppe; Jules Boutique; Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn; Maple City Market; YAUB; Imagination Spot; 1st Source Bank; Springer Design; Rieth Rhorer Funeral Home; Missy Vodi Photography

See you from 12- 5 PM on Halloween Tuesday, October 31st, 2023, for a day full of Treats and no Tricks.

You can still plant this season!

Many people ask “how late in the year can we plant a tree?” Our answer: Ideally, before Thanksgiving, though you can still plant as long as you can dig – usually, this means before the first hard frost. There is no need to water the tree when it is planted in the fall due to its dormancy. Creating a circle of mulch around the tree when it is planted is also important to keep it safe from mower damage and keep the soil moist, though “volcano mulching” – mulching up the base of the tree trunk – is a big problem. Instead, create a “doughnut” of mulch around a tree to help it thrive.

Why plant trees? Trees provide enough shade to reduce cooling costs in your home, and deflect chilly winds in the winter. Trees absorb thousands of gallons of rainwater each year and can help to reduce the need for stormwater runoff systems that may be expensive to build, and require costly maintenance. Most notably, trees absorb vast amounts of toxins in the air, as well as carbon dioxide, cleaning and filtering our air, and releasing oxygen in the atmosphere. Not to mention they make our neighborhoods beautiful!

Questions about planting trees or about trees in general? Call Rieth Interpretive Center to reach the Environmental Resilience Department at 574-534-0076 or email at environmental@goshencity.com.

Learn More!

Goshen’s 38 Ongoing Road Projects

Are you curious about the latest updates on Goshen’s ongoing road projects? We have 38 projects aimed at improving our city’s infrastructure, making it more accessible and convenient for all residents. One of these projects, Wilden Ave, is making remarkable progress and is scheduled to reopen on November 11th.

Wilden Ave: Paving the Way for a Better Goshen

Wilden Ave is one of the key roads undergoing transformation in our ongoing road improvement projects. It’s been a significant effort, and we’re thrilled to announce that it’s on track to reopen on November 11th.

We understand that you might want to dive deeper into each of these 38 projects. For a more in-depth look at Wilden Ave and all the ongoing road projects in Goshen, we invite you to click here. This link will provide you with detailed information about each project, maps, and how they contribute to the betterment of our beautiful city.

Improving Infrastructure for a Brighter Future

These ongoing road projects in Goshen are a testament to our commitment to creating a more efficient and accessible city. They aim to enhance the quality of life for our residents, improve traffic flow, and ensure the safety of all who use our roads.

As we near the reopening of Wilden Ave and continue work on the other 37 projects, we encourage you to stay updated and engaged in the development of our city’s infrastructure. Feel free to explore the provided link for a comprehensive overview of the ongoing road projects and get ready to experience a better, more convenient Goshen.

We’ll keep you posted on further developments and milestones.

If you’d rather chat please call our engineering team with inquiries at 574-534-2201 or send an email to engineering@goshencity.com

FEMA and FCC to Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

Washington, D.C. – Oct. 4, 2023

In collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. This is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the effectiveness of emergency communication systems and keep citizens informed during critical situations.

What to Expect

The national test will take place on Wednesday, October 4, at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET. It will consist of two components: the WEA and EAS capabilities.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA):

  • The WEA portion will be sent to all consumer cell phones, making it the second test to include all cellular devices.
  • The test message will appear in either English or Spanish, based on the language settings of your mobile device.
  • The message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” For Spanish language settings: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
  • The test will last approximately 30 minutes, and your cell phone should receive the message only once if it’s switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and your wireless provider participates in WEA.

Emergency Alert System (EAS):

  • The EAS portion will be broadcasted to radios and televisions.
  • This marks the seventh nationwide EAS test.
  • The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages, stating: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

Why This Test Matters

The primary goal of the October 4 test is to ensure that these alert systems remain effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those of national significance. In the event of widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is set for October 11.

FEMA and the FCC are working closely with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders to minimize any confusion and maximize the public safety value of this test.

How It Works

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which allows authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communication networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.

This year, the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

Accessibility and Public Safety

WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which then deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To ensure accessibility for all, including individuals with disabilities, these alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.

Stay Informed

We encourage all citizens to be aware of this nationwide test and to share this information with friends and family. Your participation in this test helps us improve our emergency communication systems and ensures that they are ready to serve you when it matters most.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to enhance the safety and well-being of our communities.

September Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter

Read the newsletter by clicking the following link: bit.ly/SWNewsSeptember2023. 

The goal of the Goshen Stormwater Department is clean water for everyone and everything. One way this is achieved is through public education and the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter is one of many ways this is accomplished. 

In this month’s newsletter, there are three articles:

  1. Stormwater Treatment Units – Stormwater treatment units or STUs help to minimize the impacts of stormwater pollutants on our local waterways by capturing pollutants. Read more about how these STUs are maintained and how much material was captured over the past year.
  1. Find out the origins of the words “waterway and watercourse” in the next installment of the “Why are there so many words for waterways?” series. 
  1. World Rivers Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September and highlights the many values of our rivers and the threats they face.

If you have concerns about stormwater drainage or water quality issues or have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Goshen Stormwater Department at stormwater@goshencity.com or 574-534-2201.

2023 Trick or Treat Hours

The City of Goshen’s 2023 suggested trick-or-treat hours are Saturday, October 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

For trick-or-treaters:

  • Kindly adhere to the designated trick-or-treat hours.
  • Visit homes with lit porch lights only, and never enter unfamiliar houses.

For treat providers and adults:

  • If you prefer not to participate, kindly switch off your porch lights.
  • Motorists, exercise caution by driving slowly and staying alert for pedestrians.
  • Ensure your driveway and porch are well-lit, and remove any potential tripping hazards from walkways when distributing treats.

Trash and recycling will be one day late next week due to the Labor Day holiday.

Garbage and recycling collection will experience a one-day delay during the week of September 4th to September 8th, 2023, due to the observance of the Labor Day holiday. Please ensure to set out your bins a day later than your usual schedule. Waste management services for garbage and recycling will resume regular pickup schedules thereafter.