By PAULENE POPARAD

A second company has proposed locating one or two billboards in Burns Harbor’s Lakeland Park to generate income for the Park Department.

Matt Felder of View Outdoor Advertising of Merrillville told the Park Board on Wednesday, “If possible, I wanted to throw our name in the hat.” In November, park director Kim Burton reported Lamar Outdoor Advertising was considering making a proposal for two billboards at Lakeland.

The Park Board has taken no action on either informal offer; the billboards, typically 50 to 60 feet tall with double-sided sign faces of 14 feet by 48 feet, likely would require town zoning approvals as well. Late last year Town Councilman Mike Perrine said members have received negative comments about erecting billboards at 27-acre Lakeland, which has frontage along Interstate 94.

Felder said as far as aesthetics, “There’s no question about it. You may have opposition already. Half may like it, the other half not.” He pointed to Whiteco outdoor advertising previously working with Merrillville town officials to mitigate billboard impacts there and pledged View would do the same.

Felder offered to make a written proposal if desired that would address location, insurance, tree-planting buffers, sign removal and other issues. Park Board president Leann Perrine said she didn’t think as a board they’ve made any decision about billboards, that they and staff are just checking out the park’s options.

Lamar and View mentioned 15 to 20-year renewable contracts for the signs and annual compensation per sign ranging from about $7,500 a year to almost $9,000.

In other business, town Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan was present to swear in returning Republican Park Board member Ron Day and new member Democrat Clark Hamilton. Day has a four-year term and Hamilton will complete the three years of Wally Macchiarella’s term; he resigned to devote more time to his duties with the Burns Harbor Fire Deparment.

Park Board member Dawn Ruge suggested all new appointees on town boards and commissions be given an orientation regarding town government. Jordan, a former Park Board member, said that can be arranged. Park liaison from the Town Council member Toni Biancardi offered to help.

In addition to Leann Perrine’s election as president, Hamilton was elected vice-president. He is a two-year Burns Harbor resident in The Village subdivision. The Park Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the arts & crafts building in Lakeland Park on Haglund Road.

Burton reported the A&C building is the location for Saturday’s 6 p.m. family movie night. The movie “Underdog” will be screened and refreshments served.

In other business, the board unanimously recommended to the Town Council a list of 2008 park salaries. Burton’s annual salary was increased from $11,605 to $12,605. By comparison, Jordan said the town fire chief, like the park director a part-time position, makes $12,650. Burton is a 15-year park employee.

Other park salaries would be lifeguards $9 per hour and head lifeguard $9.50 per hour, up from $8 in 2007; mowing/maintenance employees $10 per hour, a $1 increase; the assistant director $10 per hour and head gatekeeper $7 per hour. Gatekeepers and teen help will be paid $6.55 per hour reflecting a July increase in the minimum wage; the previous park wage was $5.85 per hour.

By unanimous vote the Park Board authorized purchase, pending Town Council funding, of a John Deere tractor for $37,376 from A&M in Valparaiso to replace the park’s 1976 John Deere. A used demonstrator model would cost $36,673. A second bid for a Kubota from Riggs at $37,270 was received but the park’s current John Deere attachments wouldn’t be compatible.

Visitors to Lakeland were reminded to keep off the ice of Harbor Lake.

Posted 1/3/2008