By PAULENE POPARAD

Jon Granat was elected president of the Porter Town Council last night following former president Bill Sexton’s recent resignation. Granat previously was serving as vice-president.

That post under Tuesday’s reorganization went to council member Michele Bollinger. Granat also was named as Sexton’s replacement to the Porter Redevelopment Commission; Granat currently serves on the town Stormwater Board as well.

All votes were unanimous. All council members are Republican and took office for a first term Jan. 1 except for Todd Martin, who was selected Aug. 27 by a 3-2 GOP caucus vote replacing Sexton, who is moving to Lake County.

Granat welcomed Martin to the board at the conclusion of the council meeting, which was low-key compared to the raucous end of the GOP caucus. More than 20 people were in the audience Tuesday but when Granat asked for comments from the public, none regarding the council seat were forthcoming.

After the meeting Martin said, “I thought it went great. I like what I hear from different council members.” He also said he’s in a knowledge-gathering phase getting up to speed on pending town matters; Martin moved to Porter three months ago from Portage.

Martin said he’s met with Ken Timm, the other Republican applicant for Sexton’s seat. Timm emphasized during his address to the caucus that Porter sewer infrastructure needs to be rebuilt. Martin said he now shares that priority. “Without that there is no development.”

In other business, town attorney Patrick Lyp said under a new state law that took effect in July the Porter Redevelopment Commission is obligated to appoint a member of the Duneland School Board as a non-voting commission member; the statute is silent if no such appointment is made but Lyp said it’s good policy to do so.

School Board member John Marshall was appointed to the Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission several weeks ago, and Duneland board member Janice Custer is the representative on the Chesterton Redevelopment Commission.

Porter Town Council member Micheal Genger volunteered Tuesday to serve on the Duneland Economic Development Committee after hearing a presentation from Duneland Chamber of Commerce managing director Heather Ennis. She urged and the council agreed to pay its $500 share to help fund with other Duneland communities non-profit activities aimed at promoting regional economic development.

“I think probably the interest has waned because we were not participating but I think there’s good value to be had,” according to Ennis. Genger said he senses more vibrancy now about the initiative than before.

Budget, salaries advance

The council voted 5-0 to adopt its advertised total $4,471,442 budget for 2009. A public hearing was conducted last month. The state has yet to approve a 2008 town budget. Next year’s general fund, which supports most operations, tentatively was set at $2.3 million. The town is seeking an excess levy appeal of $200,000 next year.

Porter’s assessed valuation for budget purposes was set at $187,213,958.

The 2009 salary ordinance was adopted with no discussion on three 5-0 votes under suspension of the rules by title only. Clerk-treasurer Carol Pomeroy later said it includes 3 percent more for employee salaries above this year’s bottom line but the actual ordinance contains ranges and not-to-exceed amounts because individual raises are granted following merit review.

Annual salaries proposed next year for elected officials are both $27,937 from the general fund and $15,330 from sewage works for the clerk-treasurer, and a combined $3,890 from general and $2,460 from sewage works for each Town Council member.

The police chief would be paid between $56,000 and $59,000; the full-time firefighter, now fire chief, between $42,000 and $51,500; and the Public Works superintendent a combined $23,000 to $26,500 from the general fund and a range of $22,000 to $26,500 from sewage works. Street and sewage labor/mechanic/operator employees and some police positions are paid an hourly rate.

The building commissioner/code enforcement officer would be paid between $32,000 and $46,350 a year in addition to splitting 20 percent of building permit fees divided equally between himself and the building, plumbing and electrical inspectors, the latter three having additional compensation ranging from $5,253 to $3,072 a year.

The deputy clerk-treasurer salary is set at a maximum $41,519 annually with police officers’ pay ranging from $53,600 for lieutenant to $36,000 for a probationary patrolman. The salary ordinance provides that all full-time employees will be paid longevity in the amount of $125 per year of full-time employment, and all full-time employees and elected officials may receive insurance benefits provided by the town’s current group plan.

Announcements

Ennis encouraged those present to attend a consultant’s presentation Sept. 18 at the Porter County Visitor Center regarding how to view the town from a visitor perspective.

Friends of Porter member Rita Newman said the Duneland Historical Society at its Sept. 18 meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Library Service Center in Chesterton will host a program about the history of downtown Porter homes and buildings prepared for a walking tour researched by the Friends.

Council member Dave Babcock reminded residents that Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. a public hearing will take place at the town hall for the planned Brickyard hike/bike trail.

Posted 9/10/2008