The Porter Town
Council heard of more interest in allowing vendors to set up shop at Porter
Beach.
Businesswoman Holly
Mills approached the Council at its meeting Tuesday asking to be allowed to
sell hot dogs but was told by members that no space is available.
However, Council
President Greg Stinson and member Elka Nelson asked that Town staff see if
any “reconfiguring” can be done to open up more room.
They also suggested
Mills talk to Porter Beach resident Carl Dahlin for further assistance.
Right now, Porter
Beach is limited to one vendor -- Sandy Peaks Surf Shop and Rentals -- which
just opened this year and does not sell hot food, only packaged items and
beverages. The Council last November approved Sandy Peaks’ use of the space.
Later in the
meeting, the Council approved 4-0 to give Sandy Peaks permission to display
a sign, not to exceed 2’ x 2.5’, on the Town’s fence at Porter Beach
displaying for visitors the hours the shop is open.
Nelson said there
are times visitors come to the beach only to find the surf shop is closed.
Sandy Peaks is not open on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, she said.
Nelson said
displaying the hours will help Sandy Peaks “keep a credible reputation.”
On another
beach-related topic, Clerk-Treasurer Carol Pomeroy said she would like those
who purchased a beach parking permit this year to know that the Town will
not transfer those permits to another vehicle, unless in some certain
circumstances such as the car being “totaled.” Permits will not be changed
if someone simply wants to use a different vehicle, she said.
Fireworks
Meanwhile, Police
Chief James Spanier said portions of Wabash Ave. will be closed during the
second half of the annual Fireworks on the Lakefront event, next Wednesday,
July 1, so shuttle buses can line up to transport attendees back to
Chesterton Middle School and Yost Elementary.
The Fireworks will
begin about 9:15 p.m. and the buses will be in formation during the last 15
minutes or so of the fireworks.
Assistant Fire
Chief Jay Craig said that residents are not allowed to bring their own
fireworks to the event for safety reasons, including sparklers, or to
Porter’s Family Fourth Fest in Hawthorne Park on July 4.
Parks Director
Brian Bugajski said that parking will be limited this year at Fourth Fest
because the heavy rains have made the ball field area at Hawthorne Park
unsuitable for parking. He advised that there will probably be many cars
parked on the roads near the park as a result.
Bond rates
approved, flood maps
Also, in RDC news,
Stinson reported that the Town will close Thursday on the bonds for the TIF
district. The interest rate had been anticipated at 4.6 percent and ended up
being 4.35 percent, which will save the town $80,000 in the long run,
Stinson said.
The TIF will be
extended 12 years with the bonds, until 2037, and will give the Town about
$10 million for road maintenance, Stinson said.
The Council also
approved an amendment to its floodplain ordinance as new maps need to be
approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency by Sept. 30. A second
reading will take place next meeting.