Burns Harbor Town
Council President Ray Poparad announced at Wednesday’s meeting that Burns
Harbor was awarded the full amount --$1 million -- from INDOT’s Community
Crossings matching grant for road paving.
“We’re one of the
few towns that got the full amount,” Poparad said, noting this is the second
year of Community Crossings paving projects. “We’ve done quite a bit paving
for the Town. The roads that were paved needed it,” he said.
A town the size of
Burns Harbor receives a 75/25 match from Community Crossings. The project
total for the paving to be done next year is an estimated $1.33 million.
The roads given
priority for 2019 are as follows: Babcock from Haglund to Rainbow, Rainbow
Drive from Babcock to West Dead End, Castle Street from Haglund to North
Dead End, Coan Street from Haglund to North Dead End, Stanley Street from
Haglund to North Dead End, Westport Road from Haglund to Navajo Trail,
Riverside from Westport to East Dead End, Shadyside Road from Hickory to
McCool Road, and McCool Road from U.S. Hwy 12 to Shadyside.
Employee Insurance
Poparad also
reported that the Town’s health insurance for employees will change soon.
The plan the Town was on has been dissolved and the carrier, Anthem Blue
Cross Blue Shield, was planning to transition the Town to another plan that
costs 19 percent more, or $3,600 more, per month.
Poparad said
through Anton Insurance, the Town’s agent, an alternate plan has been
proposed from the same carrier. The new plan would have some increased
deductibles for medical visits, but has increased coverage in other areas.
According to Poparad, the new plan “picked up more dental and vision,” where
employees can have eyeglasses and other materials covered as well as an eye
exam.
The old plan would
remain in place next month, and the new plan would take effect in January.
Poparad scheduled a meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20 where he will
explain it in more detail for the employees.
Surplus Vehicle
The Council
approved advertising for sealed bids on a surplus 2005 Ford Expedition. Bids
are due Dec. 11 before 4 p.m.