Category Archives: Blog

Retiring Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink Honored with State EMS Director’s Award

Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink with Travis Clary from the Indiana State EMS Commission

Retiring Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink received Indiana’s State EMS Director’s Award on Thursday, recognizing his 43 years of service with the department.

Travis Clary, EMS manager for State EMS Districts 1 and 2, presented the award in Mayor Gina Leichty’s office on behalf of State EMS Director Kraig Kinney of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

“Danny is recognized for his service to the fire community, and for advancing EMS throughout Indiana,” the plaque read. “(He) is a respected EMS provider and contributes to the state narrative.”

Sink joined the Goshen Fire Department in 1981 and served as a Parkview Samaritan flight paramedic within the Department from 1991 to 2010. He became chief in 2005 after serving as assistant chief and EMS chief.

“Chief Sink’s leadership and experience will be missed greatly,” Mayor Leichty said.

Last month, Sink was also named Indiana Fire Chief of the Year. He will retire Nov. 8, passing command to Assistant Chief Anthony Powell.

City of Goshen introduces new golf cart and off-road vehicle regulations

Beginning Nov. 1, 2024, new regulations governing the operation of golf carts and off-road vehicles (ORVs) on Goshen’s streets take effect under recently approved Ordinances 5192 and 5184. These regulations are designed to enhance safety and ensure compliance with local traffic laws.

Ordinance 5192 permits golf cart use on highways within city jurisdiction, with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less. Golf carts must be equipped with a rear-view mirror, headlights, taillights, turn signals, seatbelts, an orange safety flag, and a slow-moving vehicle emblem. Operators must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license and insurance. Permits are required, with an application fee of $50, and temporary permits for special events are available upon approval.

To obtain a permit, golf cart inspections will be offered at the Central Fire Station, 209 N. 3rd St., during regular business hours on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Inspections are also available at the Goshen Police Department, 111 E. Jefferson St., on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Ordinance 5184 regulates ORV operation on specific Goshen highways and city streets. ORVs are limited to designated areas with speed limits compatible with off-road safety. Required safety features include headlights, taillights and brake lights. Operators must also be at least 16, hold a valid driver’s license, and meet minimum insurance requirements. Violations for both golf carts and ORVs carry fines starting at $175, with increased penalties for repeated offenses.

“Safety is our top priority,” Mayor Gina Leichty said. “These regulations help ensure the well-being of our residents while accommodating alternative forms of transportation.”

For more information, visit https://goshenindiana.org/goshengolfcart

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

Stop by Mayor Gina’s Office in City Hall during Trick or Treat Mainstreet from 2-5 p.m. on Halloween, Thursday, October 31. 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. Check out their Facebook event for more details and a list of participating businesses.

See you from 2 – 5 p.m. on Halloween Thursday, October 31, for a day full of Treats and no Tricks!

Boil Order: Nebraska and Colorado Drive

On Friday, October 25, a boil order was issued for Nebraska and Colorado Drive. The affected addresses are below:

  • 407 Colorado Drive
  • 711 Nebraska Drive
  • 804 Nebraska Drive
  • 805 Nebraska Drive
  • 807 Nebraska Drive
  • 300 Block of Nebraska Drive

It is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five minutes before use. Please continue to boil all cooking and drinking water until notified that it is no longer necessary.

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and will update you as necessary until the drinking water problem has been solved.  If you have any questions concerning the drinking water problem, please contact your water department at 574-534-5306 or waterseweroffice@goshencity.com.

Park restrooms closed for cold season

As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, it’s essential to stay informed about the status of park restroom facilities in your area. Remember to check the park’s specific hours of operation, as these may vary. Keeping this information in mind will help you plan your outdoor activities with ease during the fall and winter months.

The Unheated Park Restrooms Are Closed for the Season

First and foremost, please note that the unheated park restrooms are now closed for the season. As the colder weather sets in, these facilities are temporarily shut down for maintenance and safety reasons. But don’t worry, there are still options available for your convenience.

Heated Restroom Facilities

For those who prefer the comfort of heated restrooms, there are two locations you can count on throughout the season:

  1. Abshire Cabin (1302 E. Lincoln Ave): This charming cabin offers a heated restroom facility for your comfort. It’s a great option for those visiting the park in the vicinity of E. Lincoln Ave.
  2. Shanklin Park Warming Building (near the pond) (411 W. Plymouth Ave): Located near the picturesque pond, this warming building houses a heated restroom facility. Enjoy the scenic views and warmth during your park visit.

Portable Restrooms

In addition to the heated facilities, there are portable restroom locations available for your convenience at the following sites:

  1. Shoup Parsons/Goshen Dam (755 Fair Oaks Dr): If you’re exploring the beautiful Shoup Parsons/Goshen Dam area, you’ll find portable restrooms here to cater to your needs.
  2. Pumpkinvine Trail (near CR 28): Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just taking a leisurely stroll along the Pumpkinvine Trail, you can access portable restrooms near CR 28.
  3. Oakridge Park Area (Wilden Ave. Trail at 1st Street): Enjoy the natural beauty of Oakridge Park and its surroundings while knowing there are convenient portable restrooms nearby.
  4. Fidler Pond Park (1424 Lincolnway E): If you’re spending time at Fidler Pond Park, you can rely on the availability of portable restrooms for a comfortable experience.

We want you to make the most of the beautiful outdoor spaces in our community while staying comfortable and prepared for the changing seasons. So, don’t let the cold weather deter you – embrace the beauty of fall and winter in your local parks.

2024 Leaf Collection is underway

The Goshen Street Department has begun its 2024 fall leaf pickup and will continue collecting leaves through early December.

There is no set schedule for leaf collection. Crews follow a rotating route through the city until all leaves are picked up.

Here are some tips to keep streets clean and free of water during leaf collection:

  • Rake leaves into long piles on the grass next to the street or sidewalk beside the curb, no more than 6 feet from the curb.
    • For the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, if you must pile leaves on the sidewalk, leave as wide a walking path as possible.
  • Keep leaves out of the street.
    • Piles of leaves interfere with traffic.
    • Later in the fall, if it snows, snowplows will drive through the leaf piles, potentially pushing leaves back into yards.
  • Residents and property owners with storm drains in front of their properties should keep the drains clear of leaves. This reduces the chance of water backing up on city streets.
  • When you’re done raking, spraying the piles with water can help prevent them from blowing away during high winds.
  • Bagged leaves will be collected, but it significantly slows citywide collection. Crews must empty the bags to vacuum up the leaves, and the bags will be left on the property.
  • Do not place leaves in alleys; they will not be removed.
  • Do not mix sticks, twigs, or other trash into leaf piles. These items can damage vacuum equipment and slow down the collection process.

Goshen completes lead service line inventory, meeting EPA standards and deadline

The City of Goshen has successfully met the Water Service Line Inventory requirements set by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after conducting an extensive campaign to determine the material of water service lines citywide.

While Goshen’s century-old water system lacked precise records in the early days, the City worked diligently as far back as 2016 to inventory the material of all water service lines to comply with state and federal Lead and Copper Rule requirements. The City’s Engineering Department, in partnership with the Water and Sewer Department, has used utility records, home visits, self-reporting, and online surveys to determine the material of over 50% of Goshen’s service lines—serving more than 6,000 households.

To establish piping materials for the remaining service lines, the City teamed up with Abonmarche Consultants to perform pothole excavations at 400 representative locations, allowing crews to visually inspect both sides of the shut-off valve. Through this coordinated effort, and the assistance of BlueConduit’s industry-leading predictive analytics, the team will be able to assign a material probability to each unidentified service line with 95% confidence. The City submitted its comprehensive inventory to state agencies earlier this week, ahead of the October 16th deadline.

Proactive safety measures for City of Goshen residents
Long-serving Water and Sewer utility staff confirmed that while older sections of the City contain galvanized water service lines connected by small “goosenecks” — short, flexible lead pipe sections measuring 2 feet or less—they have never found full-length lead pipes that are common in other communities. Currently, goosenecks are not required to be replaced due to their minimal length and lesser impact on water systems.

To protect residents, the City regularly conducts targeted sampling of at-risk homes and has consistently found lead levels in drinking water below thresholds set by the EPA and IDEM. Although the risk of lead exposure remains low based on current testing, Goshen’s Water Utility continues to work on reducing any potential risks by updating its infrastructure.

A team effort for compliance
Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty praised City staff for their forward thinking and dedication, not only in meeting the EPA inventory deadline but also in protecting the health of Goshen residents.

“This has been a considerable and widespread undertaking by our water, utilities, and engineering personnel to ensure the federal deadline is met, our water service lines are safe, and our neighbors are informed,” Leichty said. “The EPA provided us with an aggressive and comprehensive timeline, and our staff and partners rose to the challenge.”

The City is also replacing goosenecks and galvanized steel service lines discovered during Public Works projects, such as road reconstructions or water main upgrades. As the inventory of service line materials progresses, City staff will use this information to make informed decisions on future infrastructure projects that maximize water system benefits while responsibly managing ratepayer and taxpayer funds.

Looking ahead, Goshen Water Utility remains committed to modernizing its infrastructure and ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all residents.

Helpful Links:

Revised Lead and Copper Rule | US EPA

LEAD-SAFE GIS Interactive Map of the City of Goshen at https://leadsafe-goshenindiana.hub.arcgis.com/pages/inform, where the piping materials serving their home or any Goshen Water System customer can be found.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | Elkhart County Health Department

Goshen Parks and Recreation opens new Peace Garden at Reith Interpretive Center 

The City of Goshen’s Parks and Recreation Department held a public dedication and opening of its new Peace Garden at the Reith Interpretive Center, 410 W. Plymouth Ave., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. 

The garden was dedicated by former Goshen Mayor Mike Puro and his wife, Laurie Tweddale, in memory of their daughter-in-law, Satu Annikki Riikonen. 

The Peace Garden features five chimes, ranging from 30 to 90 inches, tuned to a major pentatonic scale and hung from a 100-year-old white oak tree. The space also includes landscaped paths and benches for visitors to enjoy the chimes. 

This new green space provides the community with a place to relax, find peace, and enjoy nature. 

Walleye to be Released to the Elkhart River – Monday, October 14

The Elkhart River Restoration Association (ERRA) announces the upcoming release of 3,250 walleye fingerlings (6″-9″ long fish) to the Elkhart River on Monday, October 14th at approximately 1:00 pm. The ERRA began stocking walleye fingerlings (pictured below) in the Elkhart River in 2014 and has continued to do so every two years. The walleye fingerlings will be released at the boat launches first at Shanklin Park (below the Dam) and then at Violett Cemetery (above the Dam).

Please note that the time of release may fluctuate depending on travel time from the Gollon Bait & Fish Farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Any change in the release time will be posted to ERRA’s Facebook page. Once the fish tanks are opened, the release takes less than 60 seconds.

For more information on the Elkhart River Restoration Association and walleye stocking, visit www.elkhartriver.org.