By KEVIN NEVERS

This year has already been a brutal one on Chesterton motorists, forced for weeks to find detours around the big hole on Porter Ave.

But 2008 could go down as the most traffic-snarling year in municipal history, as Indiana-American Water Company (IAWC) has announced a quartet of water main replacement projects—two of them on main thoroughfares—which the company apparently has every intention of completing before the end of the year.

The projects:

•2,220 feet of 12-inch and eight-inch main to be installed on the east side of North Calumet Road between Indian Boundary Road to a point south of the Norfolk Southern grade-crossing, with approximately five open road-cut street crossings.

•4,840 feet of eight-inch and six-inch to be installed on the north side of Woodlawn Ave. between Waverly Road and North Calumet Road, with approximately nine open road-cut street crossings.

•3,620 feet of eight-inch main to be installed on the west side of 14th Street between Washington Ave. and Park Ave. and the east side of 14th Street between Park Ave. and West Indiana Ave., with approximately six open road-cut street crossings.

•960 feet of eight-inch and six-inch main to be installed on the east side of South Jackson Blvd. between Porter Ave. and West Morgan Ave.

Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg told the Town Council at its meeting Monday night that he has advised IAWC that whatever projects are begun this year must be finished this year and all road cuts patched, well before the asphalt plants close.

Still, IAWC is pursuing what Utility Superintendent Steve Yagelski called “a rather aggressive schedule,” expects to award bids for the projects on Friday, and is anticipating the completion of the work in early November.

As part of that aggressive schedule, Schnadenberg added, crews may be working on more than one water main replacement at a time.

Member Jeff Trout expressed his concern about the impact of the North Calumet Road project in particular on businesses in the Downtown and his hope that this project at least will be done well before the Christmas shopping season.

IAWC did say that its general contractor will notify Schnadenberg at least 24 hours before any work commences.

Town Auction

In other business, and at Police Chief George Nelson’s request, members agreed by consensus to schedule the annual town auction for Sept. 24 at the Street Department at 609 Grant Ave. The auction will be held during the evening but times have not yet been specified.

Nelson told the council that department heads are currently compiling inventories of surplus items to be put on the block.

CPD

In July, Nelson advised members, the Chesterton Police Department responded to 1,270 calls, so far in August to 969, and in the year-to-date to 8,667.

CFD

So far in August, Fire Chief Warren “Skip” Highwood similarly advised members, the Chesterton Fire Department has responded to 105 calls and in the year-to-date to 740.

The aerial is currently out of service, Highwood added, with a cylinder problem.

2009 Budget Schedule

Clerk-Treasurer Gayle Polakowski reminded members that a public hearing on the 2009 budget will be held at a special meeting at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and that they must formally adopt that budget at their regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 22.

Posted 8/26/2008