By
PAULENE POPARAD
When
it meets Wednesday at 7 p.m., the Burns Harbor Town Council will discuss
possibly acquiring the Westport Community Club property at the northeast
corner of Westport and Haglund roads.
It
appears the town may be able to do so at no cost.
According
to council president Jim McGee, who also has served on the club’s
executive board, the long-time club has dissolved and appointed a
committee to handle transfer of the property.
McGee
said the Westport building needs updating, but it’s not feasible for the
club to undertake. “With the economy and new halls being built,
financially they can’t support it any more.”
The
Boo Family donated the Westport site in 1954 for community use, said
McGee, so it may be possible for the town to assume responsibility for the
property.
He
said the council may want to schedule a special meeting to seek community
input regarding the acquisition, and to explain the town’s options for
the parcel including a possible joint venture with the Burns Harbor Park
Department and a local youth sports organization.
The
Westport parcel, which includes a small parking lot, adjoins a larger,
vacant tract to the east owned by Duneland School Corp.
Also
Wednesday, the council will continue discussion regarding a tax-abatement
request from Indiana Flame Services, an independent contractor that plans
to upgrade and expand its operations at steelmaker ArcelorMittal. Last
month the local IFS attorney and the town’s financial consultant laid
out possible scenarios of how the abatement could be structured. A public
hearing and final vote could take place May 8.
In
other action, tomorrow the council wants to hear what neighbors think of
re-opening the town gun range on Navajo Trail west of the Street
Department for exclusive use by Burns Harbor police.
The
range, at the time used by several law-enforcement agencies and
departments, was closed last year after complaints about the noise it
generated.
A
public hearing will take place on an additional appropriation for the Park
Department, the longstanding issue of how to get rid of a dirt pile at
Lakeland Park will be addressed, and an ordinance pertaining to water
shut-off procedure will be considered
A
lease-agreement extension with American Tower Corp. is listed. Department
heads will report, and the public may comment about other matters at the
meeting’s conclusion.
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Posted 4/9/2013
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