Banks and property owners were put on notice Tuesday that unmowed grass --- especially when it reaches several feet tall --- is unacceptable in the town of Porter.

The Town Council stopped short of directing town employees to do the mowing and charge it back to landowners. Instead, town attorney Patrick Lyp will determine the owners of lots especially generating complaints in Marquette Point and Summertree subdivisions.

“I’ll let you know next month which banks own property in town and won’t maintain them,” said Lyp.

Building commissioner Art Elwood said the problem is exacerbated because so many properties are involved in bankruptcy; even a developer can’t be found, he noted.

Public Works superintendent Brenda Brueckheimer strongly opposed having her department mow overgrown lots because town equipment could be damaged by unseen debris. She proposed $500 fines to get a property owner’s attention, and asked if property owners associations can pay for mowing where POAs exist.

Lyp said liens can be placed on lots for the actual cost of having them mowed for the town. It was agreed the cost charged by a mowing service will be sought, although Councilman Jon Granat asked how the town would pay for it.

On a related matter, Brueckheimer said the town’s contract with Allied Waste performed by Able Disposal stipulates the company will pick up mowed grass clippings but drivers are refusing to do so. Bagged grass sitting for days is causing a problem, she stated. Town officials agreed to contact Able.

In the midst of a 90-degree heat wave, Porter fire chief Lewis Craig Sr. reported the Fire Department air-conditioning system is down, and the furnace is not far behind.

He presented a proposal from Lovings Heating & Cooling Inc. of Portage for a new 60,000 BTU Armstrong three-phase air conditioner and a new Armstrong 125,000 BTU high-efficiency gas furnace and evaporator coil. Additional equipment and installation would total $13,900 with the components in stock.

Initially some council members wanted more proposals, but how one would be chosen in the absence of a public meeting created problems. Craig urged the council not to make the department wait two weeks until the next meeting for a decision.

The Lovings proposal was accepted 5-0 with the stipulation that it be reviewed by Lyp. The $13,900 will be taken from the town’s CEDIT account.

Brueckheimer, whose Public Works department shares a building at 550 Beam St. with the fire station, said she had a gas leak at her shops and it was determined several of the heating units’ heat exchangers are cracked and leaking. “We have to replace these before winter.” She was authorized to seek proposals.

On another matter, Clerk-treasurer Carol Pomeroy said her office mailed out 700 delinquent sewer-bill notices. The money is due July 1 or water service will be shut off at a cost of $75 to reconnect. Customers served by private wells will have tax liens placed on their property for the overdue amount.

Pomeroy announced the town hall will be closed July 3 for the Independence Day holiday. Responding to a question from resident Jennifer Klug, Councilman Micheal Genger said the planned July 1 Duneland community fireworks display at the Indiana Dunes State Park has been scaled back to the initial $10,000 cost.

Under that scenario Porter will pay at most about $2,500 according to Genger. At one time a $30,000 display was planned with donations to defer most of the cost. Burns Harbor has pledged $1,000 and Chesterton both cash and in-kind manpower services.

Porter is hosting a community festival July 4 weekend at Hawthorne Park with several activities and events planned. The Town Council approved the 0.8-mile parade route through downtown Porter and closing Franklin Street from Porter Avenue to Waverly Road for a time for parade entries to stop.

Councilman Todd Martin reported he is seeking commitments from volunteers to help clear the Little Calumet River enough to open it for limited boating. “You can’t remove everything out of the river but we can develop access ways. We have some great resources to use.”

Brueckheimer estimated there are 60 log jams from St. Patrick Church east of Calumet Road in Chesterton to the former Spa Restaurant in Porter, adding the jams are huge logs and trees that will take serious equipment and manpower to cut back.

Martin said he’d like to see launch ramps put in when the river is cleared for boating. Councilman Dave Babcock suggested asking the Lake Michigan Coastal Program for a grant for the river work.

Martin also reported on a recent Purdue University small-communities economic summit at which youth participated; Porter’s representatives with Martin were Jack McCrum and Paul Payton. The town can receive a $1,000 grant; hike/bike racks and other uses were proposed but no decision made.

Also Tuesday:

* Although it wasn’t listed on the agenda, the council voted 5-0 under suspension of the rules to adopt an ordinance more clearly establishing fines for violations. Police chief James Spanier said last week a person given a parking ticket twice was told incorrect amounts for the fine by his department. Lyp advised against lowering the fine from the actual $50 to the $40 stated, but on a 3-2 vote the council gave the violator extra time to pay. Martin and Genger dissented.

* Genger said he agrees with Chesterton Councilman Jeff Trout’s position that the Duneland area needs a stronger voice on the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission. Currently, one of the nine members is jointly appointed representing Chesterton, Porter and Burns Harbor.

* The council agreed to have Lyp draft an ordinance addressing compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay. President Michele Bollinger said the employee handbook is silent on comp time after it previously was discontinued when problems arose. Full-time hourly employees excluding police and fire would be covered under the comp-time ordinance.

* Councilman Jon Granat said as of July 1 a town can decide if they want to allow golf carts on the streets. Spanier said the Police Department doesn’t have a position on the matter; the presumption is carts are not allowed unless the town specfically permits it.

* Genger announced the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has agreed to consider Porter’s application for a $19 million grant to finance studies, engineering and construction of upgrades and amenities tied to creating a gateway to the Indiana Dunes at U.S. 20 and Indiana 49.

Posted 6/24/2009