By MARGARET L. WILLIS

Upgrades to the water lines in Dune Acres will begin soon, town council member Ben Bolton announced at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Water line construction could start as early as next week, Bolton. Said. A pre-construction meeting is set for this Friday.

New water lines and upgraded fire hydrants are all part of the plan. “No one should be more than 500 feet from a hydrant,” Bolton said.

Rex Construction will be the contractor on the project, which is estimated will take six weeks, Bolton said.

Construction will be in the areas of Hill Drive, Linden Lane, Crest Drive, Ridge Drive, Circle Drive, Beach Drive, Pine Lane and Fern Lane.

The council also unanimously adopted the proposed budget for 2008, with a General Fund set at $483,885; Motor Vehicle Highway Fund of $52,467; Park Fund, $41,187; Cumulative Capital Development Fund, $38,293 and Local Roads and Streets, $13,154. The CCI, $4,541; Riverboat Gaming, $3,919 and LMM fund, $16,233 added in bring the total estimated budget to $653,680. The maximum amount to be raised through the property tax levy is $364,345. The remainder will be through other funds, as well as carryover accounts. The budget will next need final approval from the Department of Local Government Finance.

No comments were received from the public, either for or against the budget proposal, at either public hearing.

Park Commissioner Kelli Klein sought and received permission to pursue adding top soil and seeding the soccer field in the park. She estimated cost at $300.

Council members noted the apparent effectiveness of the mosquito control efforts made in town and vowed to be even more aggressive next year if wet weather gives the mosquitoes a boost.

Mike Konapacki was urged by the council to make contact with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore about re-striping the pedestrian crosswalk leading to the Cowles Bog trail at the gatehouse.

Mark Hull received final approval from the council for an electrical easement for a new residence on West Rd.

The Environmental Committee will meet Sept., 28 at 1 p.m. at the Town Hall.

There were no reports from the fire, municipal code, roads/engineer, beach, clubhouse, building or police commissioners.

Flu Shots Oct. 20

Flu shots will be available at the Dune Acres Town Hall on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Other flu shot sites can be found at findaflushot.com

In other business, representatives from Verizon made a pitch for their DSL service. Verizon representatives Maribel Flores and Dave Jeffress explained the two speeds available, 768 KB and 3.0 MB. Customers may choose a standard connection or a wireless router. The service is available through the Verizon Portage office and prices will vary depending on the service package customers choose.

The service should be excellent in Dune Acres, Jeffress said, due to the close proximity of a hub and new optic fiber in place.

Posted 9/19/2007