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By PAULENE POPARAD Downtown Porter homeowners got their wish. Certainly not that the monthly per-household trash fee was increased 100 percent to $10 in 2009; $11 in 2010 and $12 in 2011, which it was Tuesday. What’s cause for celebration is that about 350 downtown households can leave their trash cans in the alley and not have to wrestle them curbside to the front street. That’s the word from council president Jon Granat. After four residents complained Dec. 9 about losing their alley service, Granat said town officials talked with representatives of Allied Waste, the current and future provider under a new three-year contract being negotiated. But Able Disposal, the losing bidder, didn’t complain about the terms of the contract being changed because last night Jim Smith of Able said Allied and Able are merging and Able eventually may be serving the town. That could mean a change in pick-up dates but residents would be notified, he added. Residents Jennifer Klug and Rita Newman thanked the council under public comment for keeping alley service intact. Allied had wanted to abandon it so one-driver trucks with mechanized arms could pick up the large garbage rollboxes more quickly; alley service is slower and poses risks to buildings and vehicles there, an Allied spokesman stated previously. Last night was a second public hearing on the trash-fee increase, which has been $5 per month since 1995. About 1,800 households pay the fee. Commercial, industrial and higher-density residential pay for their own trash collection. No one commented during the hearing and the council voted 4-1 to approve the fee hike. Councilman Michael Genger voted no, later saying the town could have used some of its surplus money, like redevelopment or CEDIT funds --- the latter revenue from Porter County’s income tax --- to help soften the blow for residents rather than double the trash fee. Genger said the fee’s been neglected and should have been increased earlier, but he’s not sure what amount of fee he would have supported. The town now contributes $4.53 per month/per household but the town’s share decreases next year to $3.78 with residents paying $10. Without the fee hike the town would have paid $8.78 in 2009 and residents $5 based on Allied’s new $13.78 monthly charge. Porter currently pays Indiana American Water Co. to do its sewer billing including muncipal fees like trash/recycling and stormwater. But the council has decided to take back the billing responsibility and is in the process of making the changeover. Negotiations to that end are taking place. Tuesday it was agreed town attorney Patrick Lyp will prepare a formal letter to terminate the billing contract. Porter will have to pay a termination fee, and yet to be resolved is whether IAWC will continue to shut off water to delinquent Porter sewer customers, which IAWC does for Chesterton. During public comment Klug and Sherrill Newman noted IAWC’s Lincoln Street line in Porter keeps breaking, and that Newman wants prompt notice if a boil order is issued. Council members said if the line problems persist, IAWC likely will upgrade it as they recently did on Woodlawn Avenue. Last call for names The Town Council is accepting letters/emails of interest at the town hall until Jan. 5 from residents, including those whose terms are expiring, interested in serving on town boards and commissions. Council members are encouraged by the number of residents expressing interest so far; a date likely will be set for interviewing the candidates, a departure from previous years. Seats requiring appointments are a Republican or Democratic on the Board of Zoning Appeals now held by Lorain Bell, who’s asked for another term, and a Republican seat on the BZA due to the early resignation of Bruce Snyder. Bell is a BZA appointment from the Plan Commission, but his latter term doesn’t expire until 2010. Also open is a Republican seat on the Park Board now held by Jeannine Virtue, a Republican or Democrat seat on the Police Commission now held by Linda Hodges, a Republican or Democrat seat on the Stormwater Management Board now held by Ed Pilarski, and five annual appointments to the Redevelopment Commission. Pilarski indicated he will continue to serve until a replacement is named. None of the boards will meet prior to Jan. 20. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13. Lyp reminded that an applicant’s political affiliation is determined by how he/she voted in the most recent primary election. Bauer settlement talks Lyp requested and the council set a closed executive session for Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. to discuss a possible settlement with former town Public Works superintendent Karl Bauer, who filed a lawsuit early this year alleging he is owed $5,328 in accumulated, unpaid compensatory time considered wages. Bauer resigned under pressure Aug. 9, 2007 after 2 1/2 years on the job, at which time he contended he had 148 hours of unpaid comp time accrued that the town allegedly refused to pay. Bauer was salaried and not eligible for overtime pay. Posted 12/31/2008 |
