Superintendent Jim Miller’s future employment status with the Porter Park
Department may be resolved next week.
Porter Town Council president Greg Stinson announced Tuesday that the
public’s comments and concerns about Miller not being allowed to rescind his
previously announced Dec. 31 retirement have been heard by the council and
the Park Board.
Stinson said at its Oct. 16 meeting the Park Board will discuss employee
reorganization, which likely will include a full-time position for Miller
that he’s tentatively accepted. A job description is being finalized.
Miller was present Tuesday and did not challenge Stinson’s statement.
At both the Park Board and Town Council meetings last month a number of
audience members spoke out in support of Miller, the 24-year park
superintendent.
For months the Park Board has indicated it wants to reorganize park
management but the matter was never discussed at any length at public
meetings.
The Park Board’s failure to vote whether Miller would be allowed to take
back his planned retirement was criticized by his supporters who wanted a
resolution to the suspense. Council member Elka Nelson said the Park Board
will answer some of those questions next week.
Long-time park administrator Stephanie Miller also announced plans to retire
at year’s end but still intends to do so.
Last night, without making any final decisions, the Town Council discussed
asking the Duneland School Board to name one of its own members or appoint a
Porter resident to be a fifth member of the Porter Park Board.
Council member Jeannine Virtue expressed support and volunteered to contact
Duneland officials about the request.
Stinson said under Indiana law the ex officio School Board appointment would
have all the powers of a Park Board member including voting. State law also
allows a Westchester Public Library Board member who resides in Porter to be
a Park Board member, but the Town Council felt a larger pool of applicants
could be found through the School Board process.
If that board agrees to the proposal, the Town Council would be required to
amend its Park Board enabling ordinance to provide for a fifth member.
In other business:
•Town attorney Gregg Sobkowski said there’s a tentative settlement with
property owner Jill Field to sell needed permanent and temporary
rights-of-way to the town for $22,000 in addition to the town agreeing to
mark the right-of-way line and remove dead trees on town property. Council
members voted 5-0 to accept the terms, paving the way to resume work on the
Brickyard hike/bike trail’s Howe Road segment and pedestrian bridge over
U.S. 20. The town had initiated condemnation proceedings against Field for
the land.
•The council acknowledged the Porter Redevelopment Commission’s request to
expand the town’s TIF district to include four parcels near U.S. 20 and
Waverly Road including the former Splash Down Dunes waterpark. Next week the
Plan Commission will determine whether such action is consistent with
Porter’s comprehensive plan. The RDC will conduct a public hearing before
the council takes final action.
•The council unanimously adopted its 2013 budget at $4,419,585 for all
funds. A $200,000 excessive levy appeal is being sought. State tax officials
now review the budget request.
•Public Works superintendent Brenda Brueckheimer said Oct. 15 leaf pick-up
will begin. A map of districts and days for pick-up is on the
www.townofporter.com website, or residents may call 926-4212 for details.
•Director of development Mike Barry said a survey also will be posted on the
town website seeking input on where and what areas should be included in
Porter’s ADA transition plan to improve handicapped access.
•It was announced Alice Foote Eloonan has been named a liaison to the Town
Council for the Duneland Seniors group.
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