By MARGARET L. WILLIS

By the end of this month, the town of Dune Acres will have a newly organized and printed set of town ordinances.

The over one year-long project, under the supervision of Bill Nixon, has finally gone to the printers at Muni Corp and Nixon estimated the new ordinance books could be in the hands of town officials by the end of August.

“Certainly by the next meeting,” he said.

A period of open viewing will follow, then a public hearing and adoption process could go over a period of 30 days, said town council member John Wilhelm.

Changes and updates on the document will then be made as the town council sees fit. An update fee will cover changes and reprinting.

In other business, the council approved payment of an $800 annual maintenance fee to Keystone Software, for software upgrades to the town’s bookkeeping and budget computer software. The software is state recommended. “They’ve got you over a barrel,” said council member Louise Roberts.

However, Deputy Clerk-treasurer Sherry King said, the company provides “excellent help” on software use.

King is getting familiar with the software and “we can see the benefits,” said clerk-treasurer Beverly Hubbs.

Road patching is complete for this year, reported Roads Commissioner Irving Call.

Surveying of a property line on Shore Drive is complete where a 25 foot by 25 ft. area was donated to create a turnaround and improve drainage.

The rewiring of pumps for sprinkling the lawn and shrubs at the Clubhouse is complete, Call also reported.

On the question of sand staging and disposal from home construction sites, the council decided to arrange for staging of sand from one home site at the emergency access road.

At the end of the construction job, a major portion of the stored sand will be moved back to the home site and the remaining sand, approximately 100 yards, will be used to regrade the access road. Any excess will be used on a trouble spot on West Rd.

If the situation does not work out to the council’s satisfaction, future use of town land for sand staging will be denied.

When Roberts questioned whether the council was “setting a precedent,” Ben Bolton said any permission granted for sand staging is discretionary.

“It’s the way of the world, sometimes you have too much sand, sometimes too little.”

The eroded area on Circle Drive is “not forgotten,” said Call. He is trying to time the work with other work in town to save money on the heavy equipment needed.

Call read Cecelia Call’s police commission report, saying things are going well now after a time of many scheduling difficulties due to death and illness in security personnel’s families.

There were no reports from the Building, Environmental, Beach, Parks or Fire Commissioners.

The council voted unanimously to donate $300 to the Porter Fire Department as thanks for their assistance with the Dune Acres Fourth of July celebration. The funds will help the Porter Fire Department purchase small equipment.

The council also extended their thanks and good wishes to retiring Burns Harbor Fire Chief Ray Poparad. “He’s been a terrific friend to Dune Acres,” said Wilhelm.

A welcome was extended to Burns Harbor’s new Fire Chief, Bill Arney. “We also have a great friend in Bill Arney,” Wilhelm added.

The council approved purchase of a new VCR and monitor for use in security at the gatehouse. Call estimated the total expenditure at $610.

The council will hold a Budget Hearing, to review the proposed 2007 budget, on Tuesday, September 5.

Following, at the next regular council meeting, Sept. 19, will be final budget adoption.

A Town Rummage Sale will be held Saturday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the town clubhouse. The event is sponsored by Dune Acres Civic Improvement Foundation and proceeds will go toward Clubhouse renovation.

At the next regular council meeting, John Wilhelm will become council president. The three member council rotates the presidency, 16 months each for their four year term.

Posted 8/16/2006