Category Archives: Public Notice and Meeting Announcements

Under this category, public notices for various boards and committees are published.

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.

Trash services continue to operate on slide schedule for New Year’s Day

The City of Goshen reminds residents that trash and recycling services will be delayed one day next week due to New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1st, 2024. Normal trash service will resume on Monday, January 8. The trash schedule for the week of January 1 is below:

  • Residents with normal pickup on Monday will have service Tuesday, January 2.  
  • Residents with normal pickup on Tuesday will have service Wednesday, January 3.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Wednesday will have service Thursday, January 4.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Thursday will have service Friday, January 5.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Friday will have service Saturday, January 6.

For more information on trash collection visit goshenindiana.org/trash-collection.

Live Christmas tree pick-up begins in January

The Street Department will once again pick up live Christmas trees starting January 2, 2024, and will continue until Monday, February 2, 2024. 

Trees must be placed in front of homes by the curb, but not in the street or alley. Live trees must be free of ornaments, lights, and tinsel. Street department crews will make rounds throughout the City to collect trees. Do not place artificial trees or other decorations at the curb.

The trees will be chipped for composting at the Goshen Environmental Center. Live Christmas trees can also be taken to the Environmental Center at 20100 County Road 21 for disposal.

This program is weather-dependent, as the crews picking up the trees are the same ones who plow city streets.

For more information, contact the Goshen Street Department at 574.534.9711 or streets@goshencity.com.

All city offices closed on December 25, 26 and January 1

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our homes to yours! Remember that all City Offices will be closed on December 25, 26, and January 1 in observance of the holiday. City Hall will also be closed from December 27-29. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love and laughter with those who matter most.

Trash services delayed one day for Christmas holiday

The City of Goshen reminds residents that trash and recycling services will be delayed one day next week due to the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 25th. Trash service will continue to be delayed one day the week of January 1 due to New Year’s Day. Normal service will resume on Monday, January 8. The schedule for the week of December 25 is below:

  • Residents with normal pickup on Monday will have service Tuesday, December 26.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Tuesday will have service Wednesday, December 27.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Wednesday will have service Thursday, December 28
  • Residents with normal pickup on Thursday will have service Friday, December 29.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Friday will have service Saturday, December 30.

For more information on trash collection visit goshenindiana.org/trash-collection.

Friendly PSA: How to dispose of special waste during the holiday season

‘Tis the season full of cooking, gift wrapping, and new toys. With many households producing a little more waste in the coming weeks, we wanted to take some time and remind residents how they can properly dispose of some of the more unique kinds of waste that occur during the holidays.

Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.s), oh my!

Did you know that anything you dispose of through your kitchen sink makes it into the City’s sewer system? That’s one of the many reasons F.O.G.s should not be put down your kitchen sink. Not only will it cause problems for our municipal sewer system, but it can also clog up your household drains and pipes. Instead of sending F.O.G.s down the drain, below are a few alternative disposal options:

  • Pour F.O.G.s into a sturdy container and let harden. Dispose of it in a trash can. (Bonus points if the container is repurposed or recycled!).
  • Scrape hardened F.O.G.s straight into a trash can.
  • Use paper towels to soak up F.O.G.s from used dishes before washing.

Wrapping paper and ribbons galore

Before you put all your wrapping paper in the recycling bin, make sure to take a look at the design. Any paper that is glittery, metallic, or uses foil is likely not recyclable. If you’re not 100% sure, scrunch it into a ball. Does it stay scrunched? If yes, it can be recycled. If it flattens back out or unfolds, it likely can’t be recycled. Any tape, bows, or ribbon should be removed from the paper and thrown away before it hits the recycling bin.

I upgraded electronics; now what?

Did you get an upgraded electronic as a Christmas gift? If you’re getting rid of old electronics, make sure to recycle them properly. If you’re unsure where to recycle e-waste, check out the City’s household hazardous waste page for more info on local resources.

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.

City of Goshen awarded state volunteerism award

The Environmental Resilience Department poses with the award. Back L to R: Lee Bergey; Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Director of Environmental Resilience; Levi Moser. Front L to R: Theresa Sailor, Education Grant Writer; Melanie Helmuth, Urban Forestry Assistant; Acadia Imhof; Alexa Kennel; Brandi Devoe, Office Assistant; Anna Osborne.

Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty accepted the Government Entity Volunteerism Award on behalf of the City of Goshen during the 2023 Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence Ceremony on Wednesday, November 15. Mayor Leichty presented the award to the Department of Environmental Resilience on Friday, December 1.

“I want to thank the Department of Environmental Resilience and all of our AmeriCorps volunteers, past and present, for pushing Goshen forward and modeling the impact of volunteerism,” said Mayor Leichty.

The Government Entity Volunteerism Award recognizes any local or state government entity that has substantially impacted Hoosier communities through contributions of time and talent during the 2023 calendar year, demonstrating an ongoing community impact through volunteerism or philanthropy.

The City of Goshen was nominated and selected for this award largely for its successful partnership with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) and the AmeriCorps program.

The partnership between MACOG, AmeriCorps, and the Environmental Resilience Department began in 2022 when the city hosted two AmeriCorps members, Shae Dirks and Acadia Imhof. In this federal program, individuals commit to a year of service in their community, earning a modest living allowance, health care, and an education award in exchange. The City is hosting three full-time and two part-time AmeriCorps members this year: Lee Bergey, Acadia Imhof, Alexa Kennel, Anna Osborne, and Levi Moser.

Over the two-year partnership, AmeriCorps volunteers have served over 9,800 hours on a dozen projects focused on community sustainability and public health, including organizing a women’s bike ride, designing and installing a rain garden, surveying trails to assess necessary repairs, and preparing over 700 trees to give away as part of Arbor Day.

Beyond partnering with MACOG and AmeriCorps, city staff regularly promote volunteer opportunities for the public, such as tree plantings, food events, and local clean-ups.

About Serve Indiana

Serve Indiana is a division of the Department of Workforce Development for the State of Indiana. The mission of Serve Indiana is to advance service and volunteerism by informing, connecting, and promoting opportunities and resources that enrich the lives of Hoosiers. This is accomplished through several programs and initiatives, including AmeriCorps State Funding, Day of Service Grants, and the Awards for Excellence.

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