Chesterton Tribune

 

 

No raises, but full time employee perk in tight Town of Porter budget

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By PAULENE POPARAD

For the second consecutive year Porter can’t afford to give its employees raises, but the Town Council did give them two additional personal days off to be used within 12 months of the resolution’s adoption Tuesday.

The perk is not intended to be a permanent benefit.

Council president Greg Stinson said the move is a recognition of how hard the employees work. “We’re happy we’re able to at least do something.” The days off require prior approval of the employee’s department head.

During a public hearing on the proposed 2015 budget, no one commented other than a reporter to ask about possible raises or any additional employees slated for next year.

According to Stinson, “Everything is flat for 2015 as we continue to get our fiscal house in order.” Previously instituted austerity measures enacted for this year will remain in place.

A copy of the12-fund statement was available prior to the meeting showing the General fund, which includes the Police Department, requested to be $2,175,700 with $1,489,241 coming from property taxes.

The Local Road and Street fund was set at $57,218 and the Motor Vehicle Highway fund at $676,630. If the budget is approved by state tax officials, the Fire Fund would see $214,859 next year and the Park Fund $177,895.

The CEDIT fund was set at $340,983 and two capital funds at a combined $95,000.

The council approved the budget on first reading and set final adoption for Oct. 14.

In a related matter, the council under suspension of the rules voted 4-0 with member Elka Nelson absent to create a health insurance fund so money on deposit there can be used to pay a portion of the health insurance deductible for town employees/officials. A switch in insurance providers necessitated the action.

Assembly permit clarified

Police chief James Spanier asked for clarification who needs to obtain a town assembly permit for events that take place in Hawthorne Park.

Prior to its dissolution the Park Board used to approve events in the park but Spanier said “we’ve got a little gray area in the middle” now over which groups need a formal permit and to provide insurance.

Council member Jeannine Virtue said her concern is events that should post insurance continue to do so.

Stinson said the park director and council liaison to the Park Department could review requests for in-park events and the ones solely within park grounds wouldn’t need a permit. Events that go beyond park grounds like the Family 4th Fest with its downtown parade would.

Resident Jennifer Klug said a differentiation could be made between private events, like wedding receptions and graduation open houses, and events geared toward the general public. Stinson and Spanier said they liked the distinction, and Stinson said he was amending his opinion as to wording for the change.

Director Brian Bugajski said the Park Department still is seeking donations of items suitable for the Oct. 11 Perfect Pint brewfest fundraiser’s silent auction. Oct. 12 the event’s large tent will be used for an Out of the Darkness suicide-prevention benefit ride. The council voted to waive the park rental fee for that event.

Public Works kudos

Public Works director Brenda Brueckheimer said a sanitary sewer overflow study from 2004 to 2014 shows great improvement.

The period spans Porter entering into an agreed order with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the town spending millions of dollars on mandated sewer upgrades.

Brueckheimer reported in 2007 the main Porter Avenue lift station released 265,283 gallons of raw sewage into the Little Calumet River. In 2014 there have been no releases after a new station was built.

Likewise the Triangle Trail lift station released 278,000 gallons of sewage into a ditch in 2008, none in 2012 and two minimal 1,000-gallons releases in 2013.

Brueckheimer said the report is evidence how much sewage the town is keeping where it belongs and out of the rivers and streams. Commented Virtue, “This is amazing showing all the work you guys have done. Good job."

 

 

Posted 9/24/2014

 
 

 

 

 

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