Chesterton Sustainability Commission formalizes 'Chesterton Clean Team,' names Angie Grady lead

The Chesterton Sustainability Commission voted to formally name a volunteer group the Chesterton Clean Team and designated Angie Grady as the project lead and primary contact.

The vote followed a motion to record the Clean Team name on a state program form so the commission could advance several projects and receive program credit. "I motion that we call it the Chesterton Clean Team," a commission member said; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: Formally naming the group lets the commission list members and projects required by the grant/application form so work on planned projects can begin while the commission recruits permanent volunteers.

What the commission decided and will pursue - Leadership: Angie Grady was nominated as the lead and the commission approved the nomination. Grady will serve as the point person to the program manager and the town liaison. - Interim membership: Because the application asks for member categories (citizen/resident, municipal employee, county employee, business representative, health-care professional and an elected official), commissioners agreed to list current commission members temporarily to meet form requirements while soliciting final volunteers. The commission set Aug. 24 as a target date to submit recommended names and aims to have a full team in place before the end of the year. - Early projects: Commissioners confirmed several initial projects to include a drinking-fountain installation, expanded beach cleanups, continued support for the community garden, pursuit of Tree City / bee-city activities, a business roundtable for local sustainability efforts and a rain-barrel group-purchase program.

Details from project discussions - Beach cleanups: A member reported that nine volunteers participated in the most recent cleanup, working about two hours and collecting about "30 and 0.5 pounds of trash," with the next scheduled cleanup planned for Sept. 13. Volunteers reported most debris were wrappers, small plastics and cigarette butts. - Rain-barrel program: A presenter outlined vendor options and recommended using a vendor-hosted order system to avoid handling payments. According to the presenter, the vendor's retail barrels run about $120 each; through a group purchase option the barrels could cost roughly $55 per unit. The commission discussed logistics such as a fenced pickup site (the 15th Street facility was raised as a candidate), a possible pickup date around Sept. 15, and whether the commission or a partner could subsidize part of the cost (an example subsidy figure discussed was $10 per barrel).

What remains to be decided - Permanent membership: The commission will solicit nominations and confirm community representatives to fill the required membership categories. Commissioners said they will advertise the openings, coordinate with the town liaison and finalize appointments as candidates confirm availability. - Rain-barrel logistics: Commissioners agreed to clarify vendor minimums, delivery procedures and secure storage requirements, and to coordinate with town staff about the possibility of town-supported pickup or delivery.

Quote: "I nominate myself," Angie Grady said when offering to serve as the Clean Team lead. A commission member reporting on cleanups said, "We had nine people this past Sunday ... we collected 30 and 0.5 pounds of trash," describing the size and makeup of recent collections.

Next steps: Commission members will send candidate names and contact information to the lead by Aug. 24 and continue planning rain-barrel logistics and outreach. The group will report progress at upcoming commission meetings.