Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Porter Town Council eyes vendors at the beach

Back To Front Page

 

By JEFF SCHULTZ

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.

 

Posted 6/24/2015

 
 
 
 
 

 

Â