The Town of Chesterton has failed once again to secure a grant from the Lake Michigan Coastal Program for the next phase of the Westchester-Liberty Trail.

That bad news from Town Engineer Mark O’Dell, who reported to the Town Council at its meeting Monday night.

“We’ll keep applying,” O’Dell said. “But we’ll have to wait again till next year.”

O’Dell did say that he will also pursue a grant for the trail from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

When completed, the Westchester-Liberty Trail will link Dogwood Park with Coffee Creek Center, by way of a sidewalk along the north side of 1100N from 23rd Street to 100E and then south to Rail Road. To date only the first phase is done: from 23rd Street to Rosehill Estates subdivision.

Complicating the project is the designated wetland north of 1100N between the subdivision and 11th Street, a stretch which coincides with Phase II of the project.

In other business, Police Chief Dave Cincoski introduced members to the CPD’s newest officer, whose first day was Monday: Probationary Officer Michael Manion.

Manion had been a CPD Reserve officer who sent himself to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Manion is filling a slot in the roster opened by the retirement last year of Capt. George Nelson.

By consensus, members agreed to authorize the Auxiliary of American Legion Post 170 to hold its annual Poppy Days fundraiser May 17-18.

Member Jim Ton, R-1st, took a moment at the end of the meeting to extend his appreciation to the Duneland Business Initiative Group for returning the Wizard of Oz Festival to the Town of Chesterton, if only for a few years.

“Thanks to DBIG for keeping the Oz Festival going for as long as they did,” Ton said. “I’m sympathetic and empathetic for their reasons for retiring it.”

Machelle Blount of DBIG told the Chesterton Tribune that interest in the Oz Fest appears to have waned and that it would really take at least two paid full-time positions—which DBIG can’t afford—to arrange, schedule, and coordinate the festival.

Finally, Member Emerson DeLaney, R-5th, wished the Chesterton High School boys swim team well, after its first-place finish at state over the weekend.

Posted 2/26/2013