By MARGARET L. WILLIS

The Burns Harbor Town Council put in place another piece of the puzzle of planning for future growth Wednesday night, agreeing to seek a $100,000 grant from the Regional Development Authority, to provide the match for a Department of Natural Resources Coastal Committee grant of $100,00, awarded to the town for use in developing a Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Ordinance.

A.J. Monroe, a contributor to Sensible Tools Handbook for Indiana, a guidance document for government officials, citizens and professionals to help guide growth, has been hired by the town to help direct the process. Monroe is an American Institute of Certified Planner and will be paid an hourly rate for his work based on his rate with the firm of JJR, LLC; which will provide and lead workshops for citizens and officials.

Council members were uncertain of the best timing for the workshops and left that undecided. There may be an all-day event, or multiple, shorter workshops. In either case, council members approved the expenditure of up to $3,000 to provide meeting space and food for attendees; which they hope will include numerous interested citizens.

The council will consider at their next meeting, August 13, a moratorium on construction in a large section of town, to allow for the consideration of various changes in zoning.

In other business, the council heard that the Police Department responded to six accidents in June, two with personal injuries. Officers made 14 arrests, four of them felony. Officers also issued 119 citations, made 124 written and verbal warnings and squad cars traveled a total of 8,621 miles.

Police Chief Jerry Price said the Fourth of July was “all in all a good night.” The department had six officers on duty, two of them patrolling on bicycles. Citizens were compliant, Price said, with the fireworks ordinance. Things were “quiet by midnight,” council member Louis Bain noted.

Building Commissioner Bill Arney issued 10 building permits in June, 12 improvement permits and five occupancy permits. Things are going “smoothly,” he said, though he has already had to deal with several violations complaints in his first month on the job.

Streets Commissioner Doug Wentz reported no problems and said the town’s wood chipper is back up and running.

Discussion of renting uniforms for town staff will be taken up again next month when more information about the contract length can be determined. Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan said the town might have trouble from the Department of Local Government Finance if it enters into a multi-year contract with the uniform supplier.

Upcoming Events

The Fire Department will host a Health Fair at the Fire Department on July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., announced Fire Chief Bill Arney. The event will included a helicopter on view, food, blood pressure checks and the fire safety house for children.

August 2 and 3 will see the town-wide yard sale. Those interested in participating should contact Phyllis Constantine at 787-9161. Constantine will develop a flyer with a map and addresses of those participating.

The annual Town Picnic will be held August 23 and will include open houses at town departments.

Posted 7/10/2008