For ALDI, it’s first things first. Build the grocery store on the site of the old Kmart on Indian Boundary Road, then start thinking about the ancillary strip mall which will be part of the development.

However, as Chesterton Building Commissioner Mark O’Dell reported to the Town Council at its meeting Monday night, given the fact that strip mall is a Phase II proposition, ALDI is interested in knowing whether it may delay the installation of the 170-foot sidewalk along Council Drive which will serve the strip mall.

“They want to wait until the rest of the site gets developed,” O’Dell told members.

Member Jim Ton, R-1st, made it clear that he wants a great deal more information on the sidewalk and the request to delay its installation before he’s prepared to think about waiving--even temporarily--the Town Standard requiring a sidewalk in front of all new construction. “I’d like to see that request in writing,” Ton replied to O’Dell.

O’Dell promised to pass that message along to the folks at ALDI.

Meanwhile, Town Manager Bernie Doyle told the council that he should be receiving an update on the scheduled groundbreaking of the ALDI store sometime next week. In October, Doyle reported that ALDI is pursuing an aggressive timeline, with work set to begin in the spring and be completed in the fall.

In other business, O’Dell reported that Republic Services has bought the old Gaston’s Towing & Auto Repair property at 1051 Wabash Ave.

Republic Services will be constructing a new building on that site, with groundbreaking probably in February or March, O’Dell said.

Ton took a minute on Monday to thank Park Superintendent Shane Griffin for the marvelous work which he and his crew have done decorating the Downtown for the holidays.

“The Downtown looks great,” Ton said. “It looks just great. Top job.”