[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6024441,"mediaKeyId","5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065","parentId",5760312,"title","Council weighs noise-ordinance rewrite and enforcement tools amid industrial complaints","audioSeconds",236,"startMs",3286000,"endMs",3522000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065&start=3286&end=3522","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065/thumbnail_3286000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6024441/Burns-Harbor/Porter-County/Indiana/Council-weighs-noise-ordinance-rewrite-and-enforcement-tools-amid-industrial-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024441-dc18b60397a4878d594f615bf51ea57e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770801207&Signature=JubEzdMXCa0p40n0XdUo3Kb6nI3c-Nj7cFu5mbTYvs~oNxKVsOzDv867zI-v3V1y3DFwAO3g5ObvJF3iT7j1koXr2SUNqnANSbrj~4mK61lDIA~xCzS9NbVfki50BuNqHqH5~G9aKNNpyqGSCpL8iBaobcs6937Ym3wwTsZk2GDvGXyOfK9sCZaC4BIGnMsbokQp1wUpBbya6Aar7PEyIjyMiCL4DY4fnPBzgWKdd18D6opX3tAXTNFbXO7-pKYShP~tENOL5J1Z9H5BQzqNElmO3RmS85SQODfiFucBmWsz0VLPVrjcsY-25RbpAyupr803oeE-fz2nWQVmzTX1nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Burns Harbor","date","2025-08-14T14:18:04Z","article","Councilmembers and staff spent substantial time discussing recurring resident complaints about industrial noise from a local facility. Staff said residents have filed written complaints and the town has reviewed the facility’s previous reports filed with federal/regulatory bodies, but the council noted it currently lacks a practical way to enforce the existing ordinance for industrial-frequency noise.

The discussion explained that the current code references frequency/octave bands and decibel thresholds that require calibrated instrumentation and trained operators to measure. Staff said the kind of meter and calibrator required for legally defensible measurements can cost thousands of dollars, and the town would need training and calibration procedures to produce an enforceable report. Council members suggested an alternative approach: redraft the ordinance to a simpler decibel-based standard that is easier to measure in the field and enforce, or purchase measurement equipment and a calibrator and train staff to use it.

Council asked staff to research options, including drafting a revised ordinance that would be more enforceable, identifying the cost of proper calibrated equipment, and determining whether there are third-party providers who could perform legally defensible noise testing. A resident volunteer was offered by one member to assist with measurements if the council moves to a simpler decibel test, but councilors emphasized that any enforcement approach must be defensible and align with Indiana law and procedural requirements.

Why it matters: residents reported ongoing quality-of-life impacts, and council members said a clearer, enforceable noise code would make enforcement easier and provide clearer remedies for residents.

Next steps: staff and council will draft options for a rewritten ordinance and a procurement plan for measurement capability or an outside testing contract; the town will also contact the facility and request the historic noise report the facility has filed with regulators.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council - Prelim Budget Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers discussed recurring complaints about industrial noise and whether to rewrite the town noise ordinance to a decibel-based standard, noting enforcement is currently limited by lack of calibrated measurement equipment and procedural hurdles.","taxTitle","Burns Harbor, Porter County, Indiana","taxId",80538,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024446,"Council approves payment for CCMG paving invoice pending engineer confirmation",355,4997000,5352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065&start=4997&end=5352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065/thumbnail_4997000.jpg","/articles/6024446/Burns-Harbor/Porter-County/Indiana/Council-approves-payment-for-CCMG-paving-invoice-pending-engineer-confirmation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024446-f35fc646e93941384f2df2849de3e291/orig.mp4?Expires=1770801207&Signature=SmrMtjCBfUF8cni0mWovku51eWKY3mb8xFJw90b16UJudc4xOW11cE1OZbKgVGguMkjAS2Db56MvzwCSyBYl2Q76yJ8Lq~SjVipS46HC7YznbLOYrngALuy4bkZjA7FyRDTL~r~nsm7ZMmniV~xGtNKMB3DaWtX4ALdIx0mqhCbRDO2lOSVavgkl2qFh7huY81~w7ZkklahHQo4VgG8AP9xAVc7Nhhz1VTt0Z6vYcIn5G9TntPXDxyWAbGDBR4kL5kvUq8GdUpwFtjjIgtH1QsNROcdONXoA~jTWxvodutxuYtiLuRqVKXoERbkMzua7SZxhpKFSDuQAqcip35-euQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members discussed Invoice #258029 from Milestone for the 2024 CCMG road paving project (2024-2 CCMG). INDOT’s purchase order covered a portion of the bid; the town was responsible for the remainder under a cost-share arrangement. The Millstone bid plus retainage and INDOT funding amounts were presented in meeting materials.

Because council members noted outstanding site concerns (cones remaining on the street and unfinished-looking areas at certain corners), the council moved to approve payment to Milestone contingent on clarification from Global (the town’s project engineer) that the work was complete per contract terms. A motion to approve payment pending discussion with Global was made, seconded and recorded as approved.

Why it matters: paying the invoice closes out a federal/state-supported road project and triggers retainage/reconciliation with INDOT, but council members said they wanted engineer sign-off to ensure surface and restoration work met the contract scope and to avoid paying while visible deficiencies remained.

Next steps: staff will contact Global for a project review; council asked for confirmation of completion before final payment is released.","Council approved payment of the Millstone invoice for the 2024 CCMG paving project contingent on clarification from the project engineer (Global) that work meets the contract scope.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024451,"Council reviews plan to convert ambulance to rescue vehicle; approves small increase on bunker-gear order",730,720000,1450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065&start=720&end=1450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6024451/Burns-Harbor/Porter-County/Indiana/Council-reviews-plan-to-convert-ambulance-to-rescue-vehicle-approves-small-increase-on-bunker-gear-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024451-8c2d5202cdf603df3bc1fbc7692c214f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770801207&Signature=oYwK6NGdtggpeXwnN3ndarMsM0MSnvFEmoi49G10h-412Se3e4-bhGp2CLV8gi75dH2v5kCK3BxPHDgwVJSki82wUtU-iSfETFhjocFM0q5CXE7pNYLNmT5IlzEheAPD-NKIgIPn4CHWon4dKHyvcdgFQbO3-ue0ZO9uOiSEVIg-8BIMU8zeztCnO6ekYyVs7mDfUH-7Nkq9fvKeHwKWMn8wdfvjTUpu4zDJDhA1ZZE3OOcCUPiZBHrN8--Gc-ocbsyScA~0K6e6Cc9RhIoDN2ckHyH8BDU0T3SB1axpiNX8RhrmbFr-u44Xy1ixfsBi40oLN4iSolKb5sm0PkKk2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The fire department presented a proposal at the July 23 council meeting to convert a town-owned ambulance into a multiuse rescue vehicle for water rescue, missing-person searches, drone operations and rehabilitation for personnel. The vehicle conversion would remove or cover markings identifying it as an ambulance and retrofit interior storage and drying racks; the department said it expects no additional equipment cost because existing compartments will be repurposed.

Fire department staff cautioned that the vehicle cannot legally look like an ambulance once converted, meaning exterior decals and the Star of Life must be removed or covered. The department has solicited wrap/strip quotes and said it will seek additional estimates and consider lower-cost options such as wrapping over existing markings if legally permissible.

Separately, the council approved a $430 increase in the purchase order for five sets of bunker gear, moving the order total from $16,500 to $16,930 after sizing delays caused the price to rise. A motion to pay the increase was seconded and recorded as adopted by the council.

Council and staff also discussed practical funding ideas, including whether sponsorship or naming opportunities could help offset equipment or wrap costs; council members noted that adopting any sponsorship program would require a formal ordinance or council action before being implemented on emergency vehicles.

The fire chief asked the council to consider increasing the department credit-card single-card limit to $3,000 (and to apply the same increase to the street/sanitation card). Councilmembers asked staff to draft a clear check-in/check-out policy for departmental cards and to review how surrounding municipalities manage after-hours emergency purchases and vendor accounts.

Why it matters: council members said the conversion would expand local rescue capacity — including being usable as a rehabilitative and climate-controlled support vehicle — while the bunker-gear purchase addresses an immediate safety equipment need. The conversion requires compliance with state/local rules about ambulance markings and may require additional procurement steps for external wrapping or stripping work.

Next steps: fire staff will gather additional wrap/strip quotes, confirm legal limits on exterior coverings, and return with refined cost estimates. The clerk/treasurer and council will draft or research the sponsorship/ordinance questions and a credit-card custody policy.","Fire department presented a plan to convert an ambulance into a multiuse rescue and dive support vehicle; council approved a $430 price increase on a FY2025 bunker-gear purchase order and discussed sponsorships and vehicle rebranding requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024456,"Council approves $81,550 budget reduction; amends salary ordinance for staffing and pay scales",245,2057000,2302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065&start=2057&end=2302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5760312-3c05414ea916cd23f5a70f667d413065/thumbnail_2057000.jpg","/articles/6024456/Burns-Harbor/Porter-County/Indiana/Council-approves-81550-budget-reduction-amends-salary-ordinance-for-staffing-and-pay-scales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024456-1cd6145c880ed83ba3a99c898497ed75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770801207&Signature=f8Xzmj9vj-sCzeFaynVGezWsfr2B8a~~ue-Opj2cZdwsWt71xB4MI6xbHpoZBLvhMlnR6OOjmcjIQvLob8l3CU4DUbdDu8XAfDZJ0vXJCfKN5Qa59pT5jUuyZKbXOKNJ7Z5ZG9WQev7RZEdiOBfwLqcYsncJ0VCYr7JG~Rnxx62AtxPGIK-QAT77GUwgGRzDlXlye-4zTquea3UKvqcdC-M2HjEzTVHak5rjtyACfK2w4CG7Oj7aM3p7bOI~ezyaKdUgbEJgb9QA7YtY8ywl3OLa19956DCIIjHykyEv2a51m0epJQOR80Ui1Zt~PRHVFwlqywXOZ-mXVn6cXfd-lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council adopted Resolution 2025-11 on July 23, 2025, reducing $81,550.80 from the General Maintenance fund and directing staff to reallocate that money for department needs later this fiscal year. The move followed council discussion of changes to compensation and departmental budgets.

Resolution 2025-11 reduces the 2025 budgeted amount in fund General Maintenance (1101003) by $81,550.80, according to documents presented at the meeting. Council members said the reduction reflects reallocation tied to a salary ordinance change approved for notice and re-advertising prior to some related appropriations.

Council members and staff also discussed an amendment to the town salary ordinance (presented as Resolution 2025-13). The amendment as presented would: raise the part-time pay scale for police officers to improve recruitment flexibility; add a part-time sanitation clerk classification so a current shared employee (noted as working 50/50 between departments) could be reassigned; and adjust pay for the building commissioner and street/sanitation positions to align with comparable roles. The council moved to accept Resolution 2025-13 and debated several details, including statutory limits on board member pay and the timing needed to post and hire a part-time sanitation clerk. The transcript does not record a final roll-call vote on the salary-ordinance amendment during this meeting.

Why it matters: council members said the changes are intended to address staffing shortages and to make the town’s pay scales more competitive while aligning budgets to cover those costs for the remainder of 2025. Staff said some additional appropriations tied to these moves will require separate public notice and probable action at a special meeting.

Next steps: council members discussed scheduling a special meeting in late August to consider additional appropriations and to finalize where the reduced $81,550.80 will be placed for the current year. Staff said they will re-notice any items that require publication before final adoption.","The town council approved Resolution 2025-11 to reduce $81,550.80 in the general maintenance fund and moved to amend the salary ordinance to adjust part-time pay scales and add a part-time sanitation clerk; the salary ordinance amendment was moved and discussed but no recorded final vote appears in the transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council weighs noise-ordinance rewrite and enforcement tools amid industrial complaints

Council approves payment for CCMG paving invoice pending engineer confirmation

Council reviews plan to convert ambulance to rescue vehicle; approves small increase on bunker-gear order

Council approves $81,550 budget reduction; amends salary ordinance for staffing and pay scales