The Porter County Drug Task Force has been at work for 16 years, since its establishment in 1994, and in all that time former Chesterton Police Chief George Nelson has been one of its staunchest supporters.

And in a bit of a surprise at the Town Council’s meeting Monday night—for Nelson—Prosecuting Attorney Brian Gensel presented him with a plaque recognizing Nelson’s advocacy for the anti-drug efforts.

“I’ve known George Nelson for 22 years,” Gensel said. “I’ve always considered him a friend and the Prosecutor’s Office has always had a very good relationship with the Chesterton Police Department.”

In particular, though, Nelson “has always been a supporter of the Drug Task Force and has provided manpower when manpower was very thin.”

The citation: “In appreciation for your continuing and valuable contributions to the Porter County Drug Task Force as Chief of the Chesterton Police Department,” signed by Gensel, Porter County Sheriff David Lain, Valparaiso Police Chief Mike Brickner, and Portage Police Chief Mark Becker.

Capt. Nelson thanked Gensel for the honor.

In other business, Town Engineer Mark O’Dell told the council that the Northern Indiana Public Service Company has not yet determined whether it will re-locate a natural gas main currently under the west side of South Calumet Road to the east side of the street or—for the town the preferred option—behind the businesses along Lois Lane.

“In the next two weeks we should have that information,” O’Dell said.

NIPSCO’s wish to re-locate the gas main, buried better than 80 years ago, and Indiana-American Water Company’s to upgrade a water main, also of the same age—in order to take advantage of the excavation of South Calumet Road during the replacement of a sanitary sewer main—has complicated the latter project and prompted the Utility Service Board at its last meeting to postpone the sewer work until next year.

O’Dell noted that the coordination of the utilities has been very difficult.

Members made it clear Monday that they expect NIPSCO to complete the re-location of the gas main this calendar year.

Meanwhile, Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg reported that the first two paving projects funded by federal stimulus moneys have been completed: 11th Street between West Porter Ave. and 1100N; and West Porter Ave. between 15th and 23rd streets.

The third project, Wabash Ave. between Fourth Street and Waverly Road, was milled on Monday and should be paved today, Schnadenberg said.

O’Dell did note that the town will pick up the tab for extending the Wabash paving slightly beyond the federal specs: the Waverly Road curve as far north as the CSX grade-crossing.

Town Manager Bernie Doyle reported for his part that the town, through the good offices of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., has applied for federal funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for three projects: a stormwater lift station for the alley behind Val’s Famous Pizza & Grinders on 11th Street; the removal of septic systems at the far end of North Calumet Road; and the re-lining of the sanitary sewer line along 15th Street.

Fire Chief Mike Orlich reported that firefighters have completed this year’s CPR instruction to the entire eighth-grade body at Chesterton Middle School.

A bit of good news too: Engine 512, still out of service, will not require an engine re-build.

Posted 4/27/2010