DYER | The Park Board has accepted an additional two proposals from the Munster photographer who is doing salvage work at the Central Park barn site on 213th Street east of Calumet Avenue.

Royce S. Chenore, having completed all the work covered under his previous proposal, offered the board a total of $1,000 in donations for the right to remove 20 to 30 horizontal beams -- the barn's vertical support beams, transverse roof supports, roof rafters and footing beams.

The board accepted these proposals at their September meeting.

Earlier this summer, Chenore paid the board a $1,000 donation for the right to salvage doors, windows and other components from the structure's north and west sides.

Board President Tim Ring and Parks Director Mark Heintz pointed out that Chenore's salvage work will also save the town money in Dumpster rental fees.

Chenore, who owns Royce Photography in Munster, has until Oct. 31 to remove what he wants, and some of his work will be done after the building is demolished. The town is keeping the demolition in-house in order to save money.

At this week's meeting the board adopted a formal resolution to accept payment.

Chenore came forward after learning Dyer planned to tear down the barn to make way for the first phase of Central Park, design work for which is now ongoing.

The barn is the oldest structure left in Dyer and probably dates back to the mid-19th century. It has ties to one of Dyer's most important families, the Keilmans, a member of which owned and operated the area's first grain elevator.

The Central Park property was historically farmland.