By KEVIN NEVERS

Morton Salt is saying that there’s a national shortage of road salt, caused by tremendous consumption of the stuff last winter.

Be that as it may, the Town of Chesterton is going to pay through the nose for it this winter.

At the Town Council’s meeting Monday night, Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg had this bit of bad news. Last year the town’s contract price for salt was $41.23 per ton. This year it will be $103.63 per ton, an increase—hard though it is to believe—of 151 percent.

Put it another way. The contract which Schnadenberg has signed with Morton will allow him to purchase up to 1,800 tons of road salt. At last year’s price the total cost of 1,800 tons would have been $74,214. At this year’s price, $186,534, an increase of $112,320.

“That’s totally ridiculous,” Schnadenberg observed.

All the more ridiculous because, Schnadenberg said, he has learned that the LaPorte District of the Indiana Department of Transportation will only be paying Morton $56 per ton.

“I look forward to prompting our legislators to look into this issue,” replied Member Dave Cincoski, R-3rd. “There seem to be some inexplicable discrepancies there.”

Schnadenberg did say that 1,800 tons of road salt will probably be sufficient, although the Street Department will need to take some conservation measures which motorists need to be aware of. Thus, for instance, instead of crews salting roadways throughout the night of a snow storm, they may begin salting operations at 4 a.m. They may spread less salt than they have in the past.

They may concentrate their salting operations on high-volume thoroughfares.

It could be a slippery winter.

CPD

The Chesterton Police Department has responded to 293 calls so far in September, to 1,299 calls in August, and to 9,332 calls in the year-to-date, Police Chief George Nelson told the council.

CFD

The Chesterton Fire Department responded to 123 calls in August and to 795 in the year-to-date, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Orlich told the council. He also advised an engine and the aerial are both currently out of service with mechanical problems.

Fire Prevention Week

Member Emerson DeLaney, R-5th, took a moment at the end of the meeting to urge residents—as part of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5-11—to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.

Taste of Duneland

For his part President Jim Ton, R-1st, praised the organizers of the recently held Taste of Duneland for their “planning and execution,” and noted that he had “a wonderful time.”

Posted 9/9/2008