Stop signs were the
topic of conversation at Wednesday’s Burns Harbor Town Council meeting.
For one, the
Council approved adding two stop signs at the intersection of Pin Oak and
Golden Drive in the Village subdivision to make it a four-way stop. Police
Chief Mike Heckman said, “something needs to be done” about it based on the
number of close calls and accidents he sees there.
Pin Oak and Golden
Drive isn’t even a four-way intersection yet, but will be when the last four
lots of the Village and the road leading to them are complete. One of the
signs will go up right away, and the other will go up when the last lots and
road are finished.
Village resident
Sarah Oudman asked what guidelines there are for putting up a new stop sign
in Town. Heckman said he cannot lawfully use stop signs to try to slow down
traffic, but he looks for areas where a stop sign can prevent accidents. The
Town Council then has to vote to make the new stop sign enforceable.
During the public
comment period, Burns Harbor resident Linda Herbert stood up and talked
about her experience watching driver’s react to the stop sign at Burns
Boulevard and Bolinger in the Village subdivision. Herbert reported she sat
at that stop sign for two hours each day for four days after a mother and
child were almost hit by a driver who ran the stop sign. She was curious how
many people would run it.
“The first day
rather interesting. A lot of rolling stops. One of the first people that
didn’t stop, I yelled, and the lady stopped. I went to her window and said,
‘Ma’am there’s a stop sign, and you didn’t stop.’” Herbert reported the
woman, a senior citizen, said she didn’t see the sign.
Herbert suggested
the stop signs might be too high, or that painting ‘Stop” on the road
approaching the sign might help drivers.
Fire Chief Bill
Arney chimed in that low tree branches and cars parked too close to the
corner are the likely culprit if drivers don’t heed the sign. Heckman said
cars should be parked at least 30 feet from the stop sign so drivers don’t
have to swing out to the middle of the road to stop.
Arney said an old
ordinance creates confusion about whether or not homeowners in the Village
are responsible for trimming their trees that might block road signs. Oudman
confirmed she’s talked to a lot of Village residents who aren’t sure if they
need to trim their own trees.
The Council
directed Street Superintendent Pat Melton to just trim the trees. Council
member Kevin Tracy also suggested the Council should consider temporary
speed bumps in areas where a lot of drivers speed. Council President Nick
Loving asked Heckman to put together a list of intersections that need a
stop sign and bring it to the next meeting.
In related
business, 2020 Community Crossing grants have been submitted. In the last
application cycle, Burns Harbor was awarded the full $1 million available.
Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan said she isn’t sure yet when 2020 awards will be
announced
The Council also
approved Jordan to submit paperwork to change the name of Ridge Road to
Allegis Drive. Jordan reported that INDOT’s road inventory for Burns Harbor
doesn’t reflect the name change, though the Town no longer uses the name
Ridge Road due to confusion with U.S. 6.
Plan Commission
Recommendations
The Council voted
to waive the subdivision application fee for the Tecumseh Trail subdivision
because some of the land will be donated to the Town. The plan came to the
Council favorably recommended by the Plan Commission.
The Plan Commission
also forwarded updates to the Burns Harbor comprehensive plan to the Council
with a favorable recommendation. Council Vice-president Eric Hull, who is
also Plan Commission President, reported the changes focused on cleaning up
language and updating plans, including adding the Westport Development site
recently acquired from Duneland Schools. The Council adopted Resolution
2019-16 accepting the amendments to the plan.
Reports
Jordan reported the
Town’s new Net Assessed Valuation came in, though the net AVs haven’t been
approved at the state level yet. Jordan said Burns Harbor’s net AV increased
by more than $11 million. “Hopefully our taxpayers will see a little bit of
a decrease in their tax rates. I can’t swear to it, but typically that’s how
it works,” Jordan said.
The Council also
approved hiring Corinne Peffers as Deputy Clerk. Jordan swore Peffers in,
and Hull said Peffers is an asset to the Town. “The work you’ve been putting
in and your enthusiasm is very much appreciated, and the job you do is
fantastic,” Hull said.
Melton reported the
Street Department has been doing a lot of tree trimming to prepare for
school buses. Melton also brought quotes for excavating and patching the
square turnaround at the end of the alley behind Burns Boulevard. The low
quote came from Total Excavating at $9,850. The turnaround has been a topic
at the last two meetings because it tends to need a lot of maintenance, but
paving grants cannot be used for alleyways.
Loving said he
drove down the alley to see the problems and agreed with Melton that the
work needs to be done. Council member Ray Poparad said it’s a catch-22
because the work needs to be done, but garbage trucks will continue to put
extra wear and tear on it. The Council approved the work, contingent on
Jordan determining which fund the money will come from. Tracy voted no.
The Council also
approved Melton’s recommendation to hire Jose Reyes for the open general
maintenance/street department position. Reyes is coming from the Park
Department, and comes highly recommended from Parks Director Kim Burton.
The Council
approved Building Commissioner Rob Wesley to go forward with replacing T1-11
siding on the Street Department Building with vinyl siding and adding a
half-door that locks from the inside to the office area of the building. The
work will be done by A-Plus. Inc., out of Portage for $6,550. The cost will
be split between the Street Department and Building Commissioner budgets.
The Council also
approved on first reading Ordinance 291-2019, dictating that the local
building commissioner cannot approve building permits he or she has a
personal interest in. The new ordinance is a result of a state law mandating
the municipalities clarify what the building department does if the building
commissioner has a conflict of interest.
Town Picnic
The Council voted
to donate $1,000 for the Town Picnic Sunday, Aug. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. at
Lakeland Park. Council member Toni Biancardi reminded folks that everything
at the Picnic is free, and it’s a good opportunity to get to know others in
Town. She also thanked the businesses that sponsor it and the Council for
its donation.