By MARGARET L. WILLIS

In their first regular council meeting of the year, the Dune Acres Town Council elected officers and made a number of appointments.

Council members John Sullivan and Jeffrey Swoger elected Louise Roberts, council president; a post the three will rotate amongst themselves, each holding office for 16 months.

Roads commissioner Mark Hull said he has met with Irving Call, former commissioner, to familiarize himself with snow plowing protocol and learn of issues to be dealt with like sand removal, road construction debris removals and the spring roads repair schedule.

Call, as town engineer, reported to the council on electrical problems he is overseeing the repair of at the pump house.

Beach commissioner Rob Carstens said the council needs to be considering whether the town wants to participate again in the daily e-coli testing of the lakefront waster.

Benefits of participation include e-mail alerts on water quality and contact from the Chesterton Utilities on sewage overflows.

Fire commissioner Mark Bapst said he plans to organize CPR instruction for residents, work with the Porter Fire Department on fire prevention issues and on trimming trees back in town to accommodate fire trucks.

Dick Taylor thanked the council for allowing him, a part-time resident, the opportunity to participate in town government as the maintenance commissioner. He said he is putting together a schedule to maximize the town maintenance worker’s time. With that in mind he is developing a request form for maintenance work so that jobs can be prioritized.

Police commissioner Cecelia Call said the maintenance worker has been ‘cross-trained,’ to allow him to work as a security officer as well and even out his work schedule.

Clubhouse rentals coordinator, Rick Demkovich reported the exterior renovations of the building, to be done this spring, has not yet been scheduled.

He asked that anyone scheduling a town meeting or event at the clubhouse let him know the dates and times to prevent conflicts. Tom Roberts is in charge of clubhouse structure.

Kellie Klein, co-parks commissioner with Cheryl Evans, said some work was being done on the town ice rink and questions whether a park fund balance could be used to repair the tennis courts.

Building commissioner Lou Mellon said he has already met with current builders in town.

There was no report from environmental commissioner Cathy Bomberger.

Swoger said the council hopes to meet with all the commissioners in the next month or so to establish goals and go over plans they may have.

Plan Commission appointees include Dave Rearick and Jane Dickey, to fill out Swoger’s previous term. The Plan Commission consists of Sullivan, Swoger, as a council member, Rearick, Dickey, Lou Mellen, John Norris, and Tom Cornwell. Joan Rearick is secretary.

The BZA will be composed of Cornwell, Bob Hartmann, Norris, Bonnie Thomas and Nancy Wilhelm.

Beachcomber editor is Bob Evans. Mary Ann Crayton will be in charge of updating the telephone directory.

Cheryl Evans will be in charge of grant writing and the historical committee will be made up of Mary Ann Tittle and Grace Millman.

Deputy clerk-treasurer Sherry King urged the council to designate someone, even if it is a citizen and not an office holder, to learn the Keystone computer system clerk-treasurers are required to work with.

Posted 1/16/2008