By PAULENE POPARAD

“We all ran on economic development,” reminded Porter Town Council member Michele Bollinger. “I don’t think we can wait three, four years to move on economic development.”

Although the council voted 4-0 to table consideration Tuesday of a services proposal from JJR, LLC consultant A.J. Monroe, members enthusiastically did agree to attend a free workshop at which economic-development and funding opportunities will be described.

Monroe said the proposal had been requested by Councilman Micheal Genger, who was absent due to a death in the family, after hearing about ongoing projects Monroe is working on for Burns Harbor. The towns share an Interstate 94 interchange on U.S. 20, have common problems along major highways and could benefit from working together on projects, said Monroe.

He encouraged Porter officials to familiarize themselves with the Porter County U.S. 12/U.S. 20 Porter County Transportation Corridor Plan as well as recommendations for Porter developed for the Marquette Plan Phase 2.

Monroe said Burns Harbor is moving on several fronts: to update the comprehensive plan/zoning ordinance, secure financing for a hike/bike trail, and redevelop blighted properties for a town center. A Lake Michigan Coastal Program $100,000 grant has been awarded subject to the town matching it. A request for the money has been made to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority to help plan for and implement some Marquette Plan projects.

Bollinger noted that communities around Porter are making beautification attempts and it shouldn’t stand idly by. “Investment in the future does have a return,” said Monroe, who was a member of the team that brought Bass Pro Shops to Portage.

Porter resident Bill Cantrell, president of the Westchester Township Advisory Board, said projects recommended in the Marquette Plan would spur growth and help the town put in roads, sewers and provide better drainage.

Porter has a town planner but after the meeting town attorney Patrick Lyp said Monroe’s proposed responsibilities would go beyond that scope and would include seeking out and securing grant funds.

Genger was appointed Tuesday by the council as its representative on the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to fill the vacancy created when former councilman Bill Sexton resigned. NIRPC helped develop the Marquette Plan and corridor study.

In other business:

•The council agreed to have Rieth-Riley pave Marquette Street between Johnson and 23rd streets for $59,370 with other intended paving projects put out for bid again in the spring; damaged portions of Oak Hill Road and Wood Street will be patched. Town engineer Warren Thiede said it was hoped all three roads could be upgraded for about $300,000 but the lowest bid received was for $440,772.

•It was announced the final coat of blacktop was scheduled to be put on Mineral Springs Road south of Old Porter Road today. The pavement was dug out for a water line extension this summer.

•Building commissioner Art Elwood said uninhabitable homes on 2nd Street west of Main Street and north of State Street in Porter Beach have been or are in the process of being torn down by year’s end. Regarding repeated violations at 204 Wagner Rd. over a collapsed swimming pool, Granat offered to speak to the homeowner before the town initiates a lawsuit seeking abatement of a public nuisance.

•John Beckman announced Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. a seminar is planned at Hawthorne Park as a window to the wetlands restoration project there replacing exotic species with native plantings. Various speakers are scheduled and lunch will be available.

•By consensus the council declared Halloween trick-or-treat for youngsters Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

•Despite the summer-like weather, Public Works superintendent Brenda Brueckheimer said a color-coded leaf pick-up schedule and map are available at the town hall.

•Clerk-treasurer Carol Pomeroy announced Zip Foods in downtown Porter will re-open and the town again will have a grocery store.

Posted 9/24/2008