The Burns Harbor
Town Council debated the effectiveness of mosquito fogging at its meeting
Wednesday night.
Council Member
Marcus Rogala began by saying that the mosquito fogging that takes place in
early summer each year doesn’t seem to make a difference in his
neighborhood. Council Member Toni Biancardi agreed it never seems to help in
her neighborhood either.
The Council noted
that the repellent used in fogging only kills mosquitoes that it comes in
contact with and doesn’t prevent hatches. Last year, the fogging service
cost $800. It would increase to $850 this year.
For the time being,
the Council opted not to schedule it for this season, but Clerk-Treasurer
Jane Jordan will monitor public input on the matter.
Council Member
Kevin Tracy, for his part, said the Town should think of alternatives. “We
should ask, ‘Are we doing this the best way possible?’ Just saying we aren’t
going to do anything about it doesn’t seem like the right answer.”
Street Department
In other business,
Street Superintendent Pat Melton reported that his department will complete
several projects in the coming weeks, including repairing a storm sewer on
Haglund Road, putting in a concrete pad for a storage container at Food
Truck Square, and fixing a street light in the Village subdivision.
Residents who may be affected by the work will be notified.
Melton received
approval to install some “no littering” signs after Street Department
workers recently picked up 67 bags of trash along Old Porter Road. The signs
will emphasize the Town Code related to littering, which is that the first
offense results in a $100 fine. He also received approval to install a stop
sign at the intersection of Harbor Way and Clifford Way.
Melton also said
that on Tuesday, May 29, Rieth-Reilly is scheduled to start work on the 2018
paving projects, which include North Boo Road, Chippewa Trail, Lively Lane,
South Boo Road, Iroquois Trail, and Wall Street.
Traffic Ordinance
Amending the
traffic ordinance that covers the snow parking ban, the Council voted to
include language that bans all parking on streets without concrete curbs.
The Council discussed this change at its April meeting and asked Town
Attorney Clay Patton to finalize the wording. The Council approved the new
version of the ordinance on first reading and voted to suspend the rules to
conduct a second reading in the same night. The new parking ban went into
effect upon passage.
Other Business
* Burns Harbor
Scholarship applications are due May 31. The scholarship is open only to
Town residents, but they can be residents of any age who are attending
college classes.
* President of the
Duneland Chamber of Commerce Maura Durham appeared to ask the Council to
support this year’s lakefront fireworks display, scheduled for July 2 with a
rain date of July 5. The Council opted to donate in-kind police and fire
department services and a cash contribution of $2,500.
Pick-up for large
garbage items will be Thursday, May 17.