Tag Archives: Goshen

INDOT to begin paving on South Main, between Gra-Roy and Lafayette Streets.

INDOT to begin paving on South Main, between Gra-Roy and Lafayette Streets. They will be temporarily closing access to E. Lafayette, E. Waverly, Kenwood, and Gra-Roy at their Main St intersections. The roads will reopen as the work progresses. Learn more about INDOT’s upcoming projects:

https://www.in.gov/indot/projects

Road Closure at 412 & 414 N. Riverside St. between Division St and Wilkinson St. 

 

The City of Goshen Water and Sewer Department will be installing a sewer tap at 412 & 414 N. Riverside St. between Division St and Wilkinson St. The work will require excavation of the road, with a trench that will be approximately 14 feet in depth. 

For the safety of the work crews and the public, the city will close N. Riverside St. between Division St. and Wilkinson St to traffic starting at 12:00 P.M. on Tuesday, 05/28/2024. The road will reopen for traffic on Friday evening 05/31/2024. 

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.

Wilden Ave. Set to open soon

Wilden Avenue will soon be open, but not this Saturday as planned. Reith-Riley informed the City they will need to keep the road closed until 12 PM Friday, November 17, in order to finish concrete and grading work. When they open, we anticipate a smooth ride between Indiana Avenue and Main Street!

Park restroom access during the fall and winter 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.

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

LONGER NIGHTS – LOOK FOR STREETLIGHTS OUT

picmonkey-collage

The City has about 1,100 streetlights that are owned and maintained by NIPSCO, and about 500 decorative streetlights that are owned and maintained by the City.

The decorative street lights, like the ones along Main Street, can be reported out by calling 574-534-2201. By reporting streetlights out, you’re helping City residents and businesses get what they pay for.dsc_1108_edited

NIPSCO-maintained streetlights can be identified by their attachment to wooden poles and their lights extending off mast arms out over the street. These lights are referred to as cobra head.

dsc_1119_edited

For NIPSCO-maintained streetlights, the City pays NIPSCO a monthly rate based upon their 750 tariff. For 100-watt high pressure sodium light bulbs, the typical streetlight bulb wattage, the monthly tariff rate is $12.35 each. In general numbers, the City pays almost $13,585 per month for the benefits NIPSCO’s streetlights provide. When streetlights are out, the City is still charged the same amount whether a light is working or not.

It’s up to the City and its residents to report streetlights that aren’t working so NISPCO can repair them. The key to reporting a streetlight out is to know the power pole number, which is listed on an oval metal tag on the poles, located roughly 4 feet off the ground.

dsc_1114_edited

There are several ways to report streetlights out. You can use NIPSCO’s terrific website at http://www.nipsco.com/stay-safe/outage-center/report-a-streetlight-out that allows you to report streetlights.

The City’s website has a report a problem button that allows you to report a streetlight out on the top right corner of the homepage.The direct link to reporting an issue is http://goshenindiana.org/report-an-issue. You can also call Goshen Engineering at 574-534-2201.

Thank you for helping the city keep its streets bright this season!

OCTOBER STORMWATER TOOLBOX NEWSLETTER

img_0405

Happy New Water Year! Yes, the actual New Year is just under three months away, but for water enthusiasts October 1st is the beginning of the new water year. Find out more about the water year and how much rain and snow fell from the sky during the 2016 water year in this month’s Newsletter.

Additionally, find out how trees act as umbrellas and help reduce stormwater impacts in urban areas. You can also find out the benefits provided by Goshen’s  trees, including the one in your front yard. Currently the sugar maple in front of City Hall has a total yearly benefit of $159.98.

Click here to view the full newsletter.

2016 BRUSH COLLECTION

092916_brushcollection5

The Street Department ended the final round of the Brush Collection program for 2016 last week. Thanks to all who moved their brush out for removal promptly.

For those who missed the scheduled collection last week, or those who have brush accumulations through Friday, Oct. 28, the Street Department will have Dial-a-Trailers available for overnight use to dispose of brush. The trailers may be pre-arranged by calling 574.534.9711. There is no charge for the service.

Brush piles not disposed of by Oct. 28 become the responsibility of the property owner for disposal.

Now that the street department crews have completed this final brush collection, their priority moves to the collection of leaves. Leaf collection details will be announced as the season progresses.

Please do not place leaves on top of the brush for pickup, because the street department uses vacuums to collect leaves — a different method from collecting brush. Also, please do not mix leaves with garbage, for they will not be collected by Republic Services.

For those who find themselves with yard waste beyond collection weeks, the Environmental Center, located near the intersection of Indiana Avenue and County Road 19, is free to Goshen residents and is open 52 weeks a year. From April through November, their hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon; and from December through March their hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Environmental Center is closed on Sunday and holidays. The Center accepts brush, leaves (loose or in a bag), at no charge for Goshen residents. If the leaves are bagged, the bags must be emptied.