The Schererville Town Council approved a bid to begin renovating and enhancing the facilities in the Plum Creek Fire Station.
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The council unanimously awarded a bid Wednesday of $380,769 to Pangere Corp., of Gary, to make additions to the fire station including sleeping quarters and housing that will allow firefighters to be permanently stationed.
The facility upgrades will expedite response time to residents and businesses in the north quadrant of the town, Fire Chief Joseph Kruzan, said.
There were four bidders for the project, but Pangere was the “lowest, most responsive and responsible bidder,” Town Manager Robert Volkmann said.
With Council Vice President Tom Schmitt, D-4th, abstaining, the council approved to permit H.J. Umbaugh and Associates to proceed with a fire territory financial analysis. Schererville is contemplating forming a fire territory with the communities of St. John, Cedar Lake, St. John Township and Hanover Township. The cost of the study is $25,000, which will be split between the five communities.
“This is just a study to see if it’s worth our participation to join a fire territory,” Council President Mike Troxell, D-5th, said.
“No one has committed to anything other than a study,” Kruzan said.
In an effort to secure federal funding through Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) and INDOT for the town’s highway safety improvement project, the council approved to enter into a consulting agreement with Butler, Fariman & Seufert, a civil engineering firm, to ensure all of the town’s street signs are compliant with state law.
“This will basically be stops, speed limits, (roadway) warning signs and our street name signs,” Jeff Huet, public works director, said. All of the signs will be upgraded to the new reflectivity standards.
In other business, the council unanimously voted to appropriate $100,000 from the County Economic Development Income Tax fund for the town’s 150th celebration in September. Out of the $100,000, $30,000 will be allocated for the celebration’s entertainment. The council has sent out sponsorship letters for the celebration and does not anticipate needing the entire $100,000, Troxell said.
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