The towns of Chesterton and Porter will hold a joint stormwater education program for fifth graders at Westchester Intermediate School on Dec. 1-3.

So MS Operator Jennifer Gadzala told the Chesterton Stormwater Management Board at its meeting Monday night.

The particular subject of the program: water consumptive uses, like hand-washing and bathing, and how that consumption can be reduced.

Members voted 3-0 to release up to $500 for the production of posters to be used in the program, which is being implemented in conjunction with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

A shorter one-day program may be held at Chesterton High School early in December.

In other business, Gadzala informed the board that she and Stormwater Utility Superintendent Mark O’Dell have become members of the Porter County Drainage Plan Committee, whose brief is the identification and prioritization of areas in the county where flooding has occurred or is likely to occur because of future development.

The plan—which will include aerial mapping—will cost in the neighborhood of $3 million, Gadzala said. The Porter County Commissioners have selected DLZ and SEH as plan consultants.

Meanwhile, sometime this week crews will replace a failed 36-inch drainage pipe at the intersection of Texas Street and 23rd Street. That failure was discovered in September by videotaping after a large dip in the roadway formed.

Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg told the Chesterton Tribune after the meeting that the work will not require the complete closure of the intersection and that one lane of traffic should remain open.

Estimated cost of the project: $9,000.

Members briefly discussed the possibility of implementing innovative stormwater management technologies—like rain gardens—at the new municipal facility at 116 N. 15th St., when the time comes actually to build it.

President Thomas Kopko liked the notion of modeling best management practices at the facility, so long as they are affordable ones.

Watershed signage has been ordered, installation sites have been selected, and time and weather permitting the Street Department could install that signage by the end of the year, Gadzala told the board.

Chesterton High School senior Jannon Jeffries’ design was selected for the signage, which—reading “Watershed Area: Yours to Protect”—will alert residents and motorists to the nearby flow of a watershed or water body.

The Stormwater Utility ran a surplus in October of $6,445 and in the year-to-date is running a surplus of $13,086.

Associate Town Attorney Chuck Parkinson took a moment at the end of the meeting to introduce the newest associate of the firm of Harris Welsh & Lukmann: Chesterton High School graduate Julie Paulson. Members welcomed her aboard.

Posted 11/17/2009