Schererville establishes safety board

SCHERERVILLE | The Town Council has formed a new board to oversee the Schererville Police and Fire departments and ambulance service.

Councilmen voted 3-2 Wednesday to adopt an ordinance establishing the safety board. Councilmen Hal Slager and Jerry Tippy were against the decision.

Town Council President Tom Schmitt said the growth of the community contributed to the decision to form the "police commission-safety board."

The five new members of the Police Commission will serve as the safety board members. Schmitt said the panel will assist with management of the departments.

Tippy said he has several issues regarding the board. He thinks the operation of each department should be the responsibilities of the chiefs.

Slager said he doesn't see the benefit of establishing the panel.

"I'm not in favor of more government, I'm in favor of less," he said.

In other business, the town announced a project to paint the water tower on 91st Avenue. Public Works Director Jeff Huet said he hopes painting could begin in the fall.

Huet said the tower will be out of service when the work occurs.

The Harvest Acres pumping station will be upgraded so water pressure will not be reduced when the tower is not in service, Huet said.