The town of Porter wants to spend $1.35 million to buy a new ladder truck for its volunteer fire department.
The Town Council on Tuesday approved the purchase agreement for the truck, which is contingent upon obtaining financing.
Clerk-Treasurer Corinne Peffers was also authorized to contact the Barnes & Thornburg law firm as counsel in arranging for a general obligation bond to finance the purchase.
Council decided it would like to borrow $1.5 million, probably over a period of 10 years. Councilwoman Laura Madigan, D-Ward 1, said she thought it best to spread the payments out to help plan out the town’s future finances.
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The additional money would be used to purchase a truck for the Park Department, which would also have a shovel attachment so it could be deployed to clear snow. Peffers said the bond would probably need to be an additional $100,000 to cover the associated fees.
Fire Chief Jay Craig Jr. has identified the ladder truck, a slightly used 2024 model, he wants to buy from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus in Union Grove, Alabama.
The ladder truck would replace the town’s current fire engine, which is 26 years old.
Councilman Don Craft, D-Ward 2, said that he had a recent conversation with Porter County Councilman Red Stone, R-1, who is trying to get the sheriff’s office to provide more support for local law enforcement on “beach weekends” this summer.
The Indiana Dunes National and State Parks attract more tourists, particularly to the beachfronts, during the summer months. Duneland area law enforcement, along with the park rangers, have their hands full on many summer weekends.
Michael Barry, the town’s building commissioner and development director, said that 139 people have signed up for the new SavvyCitizenApp.com service offered by the town.
Barry said that the app facilitates the town getting its messages to the community faster. He said that it is particularly helpful when the town has to do sudden road closures.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.