By KEVIN NEVERS

It is now illegal to discharge fireworks in the Town of Chesterton on 352 days of the year.

And if you do, in violation of a new ordinance enacted at Monday’s meeting of the Town Council, you could be cited by the Police Department or Fire Department and liable for a $100 fine.

Members voted 4-0 to approve that ordinance on its first reading, 4-0 to suspend the rules, then 4-0 to approve it on its final reading. Member Jim Ton, R-1st, was not in attendance.

Under that ordinance the discharge of fireworks is legal only on the following days and times:

•Between 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset June 29-July 3 and July 5-July 9.

•Between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. July 4.

•Between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. Jan. 1

The ordinance notes that the General Assembly, in amending I.C. 22-11-14, gave municipalities the authority to regulate the days and hours when consumer fireworks may be discharged.

Earlier in the evening Deputy Fire Chief Mike Orlich told the council that the ordinance had the CFD’s endorsement. “We would really appreciate your support in passing it.”

Summer Interns

In other business, members voted 4-0 to approve on its first reading an amendment to the 2007 Salary Ordinance, 4-0 to suspend the rules, then 4-0 to approve the amendment on its final reading. That amendment creates two new positions and grades, MS4 Intern I and II and Engineering Intern I and II, with the I grade earning $11 per hour and the II grade $10 per hour.

Clerk-Treasurer Gayle Polakow-ski told the Chesterton Tribune after the meeting that the positions were created with the idea of hiring an eligible college student or two to assist MS4 Operator Jennifer Gadzala and Town Engineer Mark O’Dell over the summer.

Part-time

Park Employees

Meanwhile, members voted 4-0 to earmark $14,000 in CEDIT funds for the purchase of equipment for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Polakowski told the Tribune after the meeting that the earmark will free up funds in Superintendent Bruce Mathias’ budget and allow him to hire at least three part-time summer employees.

Posted 5/30/2007