Chesterton staff report heavy June rains, basin discharge and generator response at lift stations

Town staff told the council that unusually heavy June rainfall strained stormwater systems and required extraordinary operational responses.

"I think we're right at about 12 in, which is double what we average for the month of June," the street department representative said, describing repeated rain events that left downstream systems full. He said crews canvassed the town before heavy events, checked drains and culverts, set barricades and cleared clogged inlets during storms to keep water moving.

Utilities staff reported that a basin filled and that they had to discharge several hundred thousand gallons to the river, the first time in over eight years that such a discharge occurred. Staff also described multi-hour power outages that affected about a dozen lift stations; crews deployed generators to keep systems running. The utilities representative said they have contacted the electric provider to investigate causes.

Engineering staff described the report-a-concern workflow on the town website (reports route to staff by email) and urged residents to check sump pumps after storms and to clean private rear-yard drains where applicable. Engineering also noted the Indian Boundary sidewalk survey is complete and that Norfolk Southern has expressed preference to keep Calumet pedestrian crossing work within existing asphalt.

Councilors and staff emphasized residents should allow stormwater to flow where designed and to report clogged inlets via the website or by calling the street department. No emergency declarations or new capital expenditures were made during the meeting.