Chesterton Town Council president Emerson DeLaney said the fact his board took under advisement Monday whether to help pay for a July 1 community fireworks display doesn’t mean the matter’s dead there.

“We did not say no; we did not say yes. If we had a vote, I don’t know how it would have gone,” said DeLaney.

The Porter Town Council has entered into a $10,000 contract to sponsor a Duneland-area fireworks show at Indiana Dunes State Park and is soliciting donations.

Porter Councilman Michael Genger said it could cost $30,000 if a committee spearheading the event wants to have additional frills, but a minimum cost of $18,000 is anticipated; sponsorships are hoped to defray all or most of the cost.

If sufficient money can’t be raised, it’s possible to cancel the fireworks because the contract has a withdrawal clause but Genger was hopeful that won’t be the case.

Porter council president Michele Bollinger said Porter is moving forward whether Chesterton and Burns Harbor participate or not. That led to questions from Porter residents Jennifer Klug and Karen Pisowicz whether public tax money can and would be used to pay for fireworks.

Genger said if need be. Resident Sherrill Newman said the effort so far lacks transparency, which is prompting questions rather than outright opposition.

Genger said town officials as well as Duneland Chamber of Commerce and Porter County Tourism representatives are on the organizing committee, and that Chesterton town manager Bernie Doyle has attended also.

For his part DeLaney, who owns property in Porter, said, “The state park is the state park. It’s not Porter, Chesterton or Burns Harbor. It’s everybody’s. I personally think it’s a good idea (and) if we have to spend a little tax money for the happiness of our families, it’s wonderful.”

He noted for 13 years Chesterton hosted a tri-town July 4 festival until construction around Dogwood Park prevented it from continuing. This year the Friends of Porter are planning a July 3-5 parade and festival in Hawthorne Park in Porter similar to last year’s marking that town’s sesquicentennial.

It appears attorneys will have a say whether Splash Down Dunes water park opens for the 2009 season on May 23 as planned.

Owner Paul Childress said Tuesday that as far as a list of alleged safety violations the town provided him with April 16, those repairs are complete and he doesn’t believe he needs any town permit or permission to open.

But Porter building commissioner Art Elwood said the initial list of electrical and structural deficiencies he cited were for only a portion of the property. “We didn’t go through the whole park.”

Also, Elwood said as a former Porter Town Council member Childress should know that if repairs are made valued at over $500, a town improvement permit is required and none was obtained.

Elwood said the SDD file is being given to town attorney Patrick Lyp. Childress said his own attorney is aware of the situation and has advised him not to comment further.

At its April 14 meeting Elwood gave the Town Council a detailed computer presentation with photographs depicting conditions at SDD. Only after that was Childress given a list of repairs to be made.

At the time Childress was clearly upset by the delay. Asked Tuesday if he is considering legal action against the town, he replied, “No comment.”

Splash Down Dunes did not come up at last night’s council meeting. Both Childress and Elwood were present but did not speak publicly about the matter.

The council voted 5-0 to suspend the rules and approve a total $75,000 annual 2009 salary for the new post of director of engineering and development. The salary scale ranged up to $85,000 under Porter’s merit-pay system.

The new employee will receive $34,150 for duties related to the Sewage Works; $13,150 for Stormwater; and $27,700 for the Redevelopment Commission, which last night approved contributing that amount.

Town engineering services in recent years were paid on a contractual basis as needed. Haas & Associates has the current contract. The council recently conducted closed sessions to interview full-time superintendent candidates who need not be a registered professional engineer.

There was confusion whether a superintendent in fact has been hired. Bollinger initially said yes and the appointment will be announced later. Commenting from the audience, Klug said that would violate state law to have taken official action outside a public meeting.

Bollinger said Lyp has been involved in the hiring process all along. Associate attorney Ethan Lowe said he has not been so involved and would withhold comment until Lyp can be consulted.

Posted 4/30/2009