By MARGARET L. WILLIS

The Police Department has been cracking down on speeding, Police Chief Jerry Price said, and for the month of March had only eight accidents, with no fatalities and just two of those accidents caused personal injury. “You can see the effect,” he told the council.

Officers issued 206 tickets, with 110 warning tickets and 40 verbal warnings. The department made 20 arrests, two of them felonies.

There were 195 calls to service for March, with 91 assists, and 57 complaints responded to.

There were 14 courtesy calls, one juvenile case and one resident check made.

Squad cars traveled 9,600 miles.

After a short discussion of speed bumps and rumble strips, the potential for complaints, from those who don’t slow down enough, about vehicle damage and the hassles that may cause, the council agreed a greater police presence in areas where speeding is a problem makes more sense.

Price said he and his officers would also be putting out flyers in one area warning of increased police enforcement.

Two officers in the department will be attending Evidence Tech classes this month, Price said.

Leaf Compost

Burns Harbor residents may drop off leaves at the compost site managed by the Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction District, Street Commissioner Doug Wentz told the Burns Harbor Town Council Wednesday.

The site, owned by the City of Valparaiso, is on the north side of Highway 130, one mile west of Joliet Rd. Leaves may be dropped off, beginning April 14, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Chesterton site in Crocker is closed because of lack of space.

Brush pick-up in Burns Harbor will begin the first Monday of May, said Wentz, and continue every first and third Monday.

Residents who would like wood chips dropped off should call 787-9187.

Street sweeping is also underway, Wentz said, to try to pick up the cinders used this winter in lieu of salt, of which there was a shortage.

Fire Department Report

The Fire Department put in 27 duty hours in March. The volunteer firefighters responded to one wild land fire, made three investigations and assisted at the scene for four vehicle accidents and four EMS calls. Firefighters provided mutual aid twice at Mittal Steel and twice for the city of Portage for March, for a total of 16. Total hours on emergency calls was 14 hours and 45 minutes.

Park Report

Leann Perrine reported on behalf of the Park Board that the focus now is to be ready for opening day.

Seating is being installed at Bolinger Park and preparations are continuing at Lakeland Park as well.

Storm Board Coming?

The council discussed a variety of issues Wednesday, including the future establishment of a Storm-water Management Board. As the town grows, it will come under the rules for MS4, to keep pollutants out of natural waterways and storm drains. The Stormwater Board could initially be made up of members of the Sanitary Board, council member Mike Perrine suggested.

No action was taken, though further discussion is planned. Town attorney Robert Welsh will be doing research on the MS4 legislation.

The council approved an ordinance governing payments to the town engineering firm and the attorney by developers for services rendered. Lack of payment will mean stop work orders and withholding of permits under Ordinance 214-2008. The council voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance.

Town Open House

The council agreed to host a town open house on Saturday, June 14. The town departments and offices will be open for residents to visit and town equipment will be on view, including the new fire truck.

The open house was set up as a substitute for Municipal Government Week, which is May 19-23, but which has gotten little response in town the past few years.

In the past, high school students would shadow a council member, visit departments and sit at the council table during a council meeting.

The open house has the potential for including even more of the citizenry, it was decided.

Posted 4/11/2008