Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Porter thanks Rep Moseley for saplings; veteran police detective to retire

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By JEFF SCHULTZ

The spirit of Arbor Day arrives a little early this year for the Town of Porter which will be the recipient of 100 saplings from State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage.

State representatives each year are allocated 100 saplings by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources who then can decide to give them to a town, city or township within their district. Town Council President Greg Stinson said at Tuesday night’s meeting that Moseley has decided to give all his to Porter this year.

It’s a gift the town could use, Stinson said, since trees have been removed due to disease, the emerald ash borer and implementation of trails.

“It’s taking time but we will be replenishing some of our greenery,” Stinson said.

Parks Director Brian Bugajski thanked both Moseley and Stinson in his department report.

“No need to thank me. All I did was return a phone call (to Moseley) and say, ‘Sure, we’ll take’em,’” Stinson said.

Also in park news, the Council approved Porter United Methodist Church’s request to use the gazebo in Hawthorne Park for their Easter sunrise service free of charge. The Indiana Breakers Baseball Travel League was given permission to use the field at Hawthorne Park for their practices again this year.

Det. Mike Veal retiring

In other reports to the Council, Police Chief Jamie Spanier announced that Wednesday will be the last day before Detective Mike Veal retires from the force after being with PPD for 13 years.

Spanier said Veal was with Porter County Sheriff’s Police 30 years prior to that and there’s hardly been a major case he hasn’t been involved with in some way.

“His knowledge, his expertise, will be sorely missed,” Spanier said.

While the Town bids adieu to Veal, the Council welcomed a new hire.

Jennifer Klug, who regularly attends all town meetings, is now assisting the front desk at the Town Hall with handling payments as an employee, Stinson said.

GIS

Public Works Director Brenda Brueckheimer shared that she is pushing for the town to purchase a GIS mapping system that would be a great tool for things like the stormwater management system.

Stinson said Brueckheimer should submit a proposal to the Council members who can then discuss it at a future meeting. Brueckheimer said she would forward a PDF of the plan to all members.

Ordinances

In business matters Tuesday, the Council voted in favor of a resolution for an interlocal agreement to receive federal aid for the installation of uniform wayfinding signage along the existing bicycle and walking trails.

The town will contribute $400 in CEDIT funds towards the match for those federal dollars.

Also, a second reading of the ordinance on carbon monoxide detectors will take place at the next Council meeting. The proposed ordinance was changed to require detectors be installed in newly constructed single-family homes as well as all new and existing rental units.

Snow fines

An ordinance for an amendment of the Town’s violation fees will also get a second reading. The change includes fines related to snow removal and snowfall parking violations of $50 for the first offense.

Last year the Council passed an ordinance requiring vehicles be off the streets whenever there are 3 inches or more of snow in the subdivisions of Baillytown, Dune Meadows, Hunter’s Glen, Indian Trails, Marquette Point, Porter Beach, Porter Cove, Summer Tree, Wagner Hills, Woodlake Springs and Woodlawn Acres.

Residents are required as well to clear sidewalks of ice and snow within 24 hours of a snowfall or face fines of $50.

Stinson said that with the updated fee ordinance, the Town will have the authority to collect fees for those types of violations.

 

 

Posted 2/10/2016

 
 
 
 

 

 

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