PORTER | The Porter Town Council moved Tuesday to recover some of its fire protection costs, saying it could no longer afford to pay them.
The council approved on first reading an ordinance that would allow Porter to recover fire protection costs, which include the production, storage, transmission, sale, delivery or furnishing of water for public fire protection services.
Councilwoman Elka Nelson said the town has been paying the cost for the past few years, but because of a decrease in anticipated tax receipts from the county, it needs to recoup some of its costs.
Although the town has cuts costs by combining jobs and refusing medical insurance to council employees, local government cannot afford to carry this expense, she said.
“We are the last town left in the state of Indiana that has not adopted this ordinance. Every other town in Indiana has this ordinance in place, so it’s just a way to keep our finances in the town of Porter in order,” Nelson said.
Council President Greg Stinson said there will be openings on the Porter Board of Zoning Appeals with no party affiliation requirement, Redevelopment Commission with no party affiliation requirement, Police Commission with no party affiliation requirement, and Park Board for a Republican or independent.
Those interested should submit a letter by Dec. 17. Appointments will be announced at the council's first meeting in January.
Jim Eriksson spoke about the dedication of the late Lorrain Bell to the town’s various boards and commissions and suggested the town consider a commemoration, such as the naming of a building, a plaque in the park or some such honor.
Town officials and the Bell family have been in talks and will do something to honor his many years of service, Stinson said.
Zathoe Sexton said lights have been strung at a tree in Hawthorne Park in honor of Bud Tilden and others as part of a fundraiser for park events, such as the Concert in the Park series. She said people can buy a light for $5 to be lit in memory of a loved one.
Jamie Spanier said the Police Department has received its new K-9 Kilo, a full-blooded German shepherd.
An accidental death policy for the dog is available for $68 a year through the town’s insurance, but a separate policy for disability and mortality would cost $1,280 a year, he said. He asked the council to consider the information and said the work-life expectancy of the dog is six years maximum.
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