By PAULENE POPARAD

The Porter Town Council split Tuesday amidst privacy concerns over a proposal to require businesses to register annually so basic information is on file for emergency responders.

The ordinance passed 3-2 on first reading and will be presented Aug. 12 for final consideration. An alternate version making some information voluntary will be drafted.

Councilmen Dave Babcock, Jon Granat and Bill Sexton voted for the licensing with members Michele Bollinger and Michael Genger opposed. Their concern was that contact information provided for the licenses, like private after-hours cell phone numbers, would become public records available for inspection.

Town attorney Patrick Lyp said that would be the case.

“As a business owner, I wouldn’t want all my private information out there,” said Genger. Bollinger said in a domestic dispute, the information could fall into the wrong hands. Both said while it makes sense for police and fire to have information, it shouldn’t be available to the general public.

Replied Granat, “If the guy next to me has a fertilizer plant and next to him a diesel plant, I’d like to know.”

Police chief James Spanier has asked to clarify references in the ordinance to inspections made by town departments, and whether they would be required. Evidence of doing business is defined, and a separate permit would be required for each location of a business that is conducted in multiple locations in town. Home occupations would be exempt. There is no fee to register but a fine for not doing so.

Lyp said if there is a privacy concern, some information could be supplied by the business owner on a voluntary basis but it’s to their advantage to provide it. “At the end of the day (not doing so) is only to their detriment.” Porter business owner Sherrill Newman said she appreciated being called during the night regarding her store.

Resident Zathoe Sexton said an office in Miller had a broken water meter running for two weeks, resulting in ankle-deep water and the loss of most everything in addition to mold, because no one had updated contact information. Council president Bill Sexton, who has tendered his resignation from the board effective Aug. 31, supported the ordinance.

Lyp recommended registration be mandatory but some information be voluntary.

In a related matter, the council did agree 5-0 voting on first reading of an ordinance to clarify the 1994 establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of town department heads and the town engineer. The committee assists in the review of projects to appear before the Plan Commission and at times other boards. Notice of all TAC meetings now will be given, meetings will be open to the public, minutes will be kept and at the discretion of TAC the public may be allowed to comment.

On another often-discussed matter, the council asked Lyp to draw up an ordinance rescinding Porter’s designated truck route along Wagner Road and Lincoln Street through its downtown, and restricting large trucks to local delivery only. Sexton said garbage trucks bound for Able Disposal on Wabash Avenue and other businesses in Chesterton are a problem.

Waverly Road had been considered as an alternate Porter truck route but the road was deemed too narrow and not built to heavy truck specifications.

Commented Granat, “We’re not benefiting from business that drives through our town. All we’re getting is abuse. I don’t see why we need a truck route if they’re just passing through.”

Sexton said likely the only Porter business with warehouses near the downtown that might be affected is on Woodlawn Avenue and he has discussed the situation with owner Lorain Bell.

On another matter, Public Works superintendent Brenda Brueckheimer asked property owners to be aware of standing water in their yards that might be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. “I need the residents to help us out to make sure standing water is removed.”

Clerk-treasurer Carol Pomeroy said a public hearing on the town’s proposed 2009 budget will be Aug. 26. The state has yet to approve Porter’s 2008 budget.

Also Tuesday, Spanier said police will do a traffic study at the intersection of Franklin Street and Hageman Avenue on the west side of Hawthorne Park. A two-way stop exists on Hageman but a request has been received to make the site a four-way stop.

B. Sexton said under a new state law the council president may appoint a person under the age of 18 to advise the council regarding youth matters in town. He invited community-minded youth to send letters of interest in the appointment to the town hall.

Posted 7/23/2008