In trying to update the decades-old town ordinance for peddlers and door-to-door solicitors, Burns Harbor officials are asking whether insurance and bonding should be required.

Meeting Wednesday, Town Council member Mike Perrine asked, "Why can Joe Blow walk in off the street and not have to provide that? He's someone you may never see again."

Perrine noted that if the business isn't solvent enough to obtain a bond, it's not a good risk for residents.

Building commissioner Bill Arney said a $50 license to do business in town requires insurance but no bond; Perrine said maybe it's a good idea to ask for one since the cost is not prohibitive.

Some thought the fact a business has a presence and made a commitment to being in town should be rewarded. Contractors who will be performing work in town are required to obtain both a business license and a bond.

Town attorney Bob Welsh suggested the council give thought to what they want to regulate, what fee should be associated with that, and what it would cost the town to monitor the program.

Resident Jim Constantine asked if someone selling Avon at home would need a business license. Council president Jim McGee replied, "We don't have the end result yet." Welsh was asked to meet with Arney and town marshal Jerry Price to work on a draft ordinance.

Arney and Price also were asked to do more research regarding an assembly ordinance that may regulate events involving large crowds and liquor if an admission is charged, even on private property. Perrine said beyond possibly requiring insurance, security and a liquor license, it's not the town's concern unless the event gets out of hand.

Discussion regarding acceptance of the decorative street lights in The Village in Burns Harbor subdivision has lagged on the agenda for several months. Last night there was substantive discussion but again no action.

Councilman Cliff Fleming temporarily recused himself from the board and sat in the audience as developer of The Village. He said an agreement had been proposed months ago that the homeowners' association would replace any damaged light poles and globes, and the town would be responsible for the maintenance of bulbs and wiring.

The town also would pay NIPSCO a fee to power the lights like it does for other street lights.

Constantine said The Village lights are much closer together (Fleming said about 150 feet apart) than those along Haglund Road, driving up the town's cost. Perrine said that's comparing apples and oranges because the Haglund area was developed so long ago.

Councilman Louis Bain said if Haglund Road needs more street lights, residents should make a request.

The council plans to meet Dec. 21. Fleming and Welsh were asked to provide town General Maintenance/Street superintendent Randy Skalku with a copy of The Village agreement to review.

It had been three months since all five council members were present; often only three attend including Fleming and if he recused himself, there wouldn't be a quorum to vote on the street light agreement.

With a full council present Wednesday, resident Gayle Van Loon asked again if members would consider meeting twice a month again instead of just once, an austerity move started in 2001 to save money following the Bethlehem Steel bankruptcy.

Fleming and McGee said if extra meetings are needed they are scheduled. Van Loon noted some are scheduled at inopportune times, like 7:30 a.m. or 5 p.m.

Perrine said yes, some items of business are delayed, and it might be nice if the public has the opportunity to attend meetings and comment twice a month, but paying the attorney and department heads to attend would cost the town more.

McGee noted for whatever reason citizen attendance at meetings has dropped although next year when Town Council elections are slated, interest likely will pick up. "I'd love to see more involvement; so would the rest of the council."

Arney, who also serves as fire chief, said there's still time to donate non-perishable food items for holiday baskets for needy families in town.

In a joint effort with the Burns Harbor Lions Club, the Fire Department is accepting food donations through next week. Items may be dropped off at the fire station, the town hall or the Building/Sanitation Department at the street garage Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pick-up of donated items can be arranged by calling 787-8591. Arney also said three families including six children recently participated in the department's Shop with a Firefighter event.

The fire activity report for November shows 17 call-outs resulting in 16 hours 45 minutes spent on emergency response. Twenty-six firefighters trained 78 hours and vehicles traveled 979 miles.

Arney informed the public that a minor remodeling project will be undertaken at the Building/Sanitation office; a gate will be added at the front counter for security to separate the reception area from the office space.

Price reported nine vehicle crashes occurred last month, all resulting in property damage and no injuries. Eight arrests were made, five of them misdemeanors and three felonies although the types of arrest are not detailed. Citations issued numbered 68 and written/verbal warnings totaled 91.

There were 388 calls to service; police vehicles traveled 9,009 miles.

Skalku told the council the large truck is temporarily down but being repaired quickly. "We're now in full snow mode."

Posted 12/10/2010