Infrastructure improvements will receive the largest share of the $7.8 million in American Rescue Plan money allocated to the Town of Merrillville under a resolution passed by the Town Council Tuesday.
The council has appropriated $5.15 million of the total amount so far, with $3 million going to infrastructure, $1 million to revenue replacement, $650,000 to public health, $400,000 to negative economic impacts and $100,000 to administrative expenses.
Council President Rick Bella, D-5th, said the negative economic impact money could help local businesses that are being hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have a few. This could help them get through tough times,” Bella said.
He said he knows some businesses in town, including a coffee shop, that closed due to the pandemic.
One nonprofit already received funds from the town’s allocation. Food Bank of Northwest Indiana received a $5,000 donation.
Bella said the council has not yet decided how to spend the remainder of the money.
A financial adviser for the town, Trista Hudson, said the list could be amended and was meant to be broad in the beginning.
“It starts the process,” she said.
In other matters, the council approved an agreement for the design and planning of a dog park to be located on Broadway, a haunted hospital attraction to take place from Oct. 1 through Nov. 6, and a consignment sales store at 61st Avenue and Broadway.
Lehman & Lehman of Mishawaka will be paid no more than $9,500 to
design the proposed dog park, which would be located at the site of the town-owned property at 6800 Broadway that is next to a bike trail.
Councilman Jeff Minchuk, D-3rd, said he has some ideas that he would like to see incorporated in the dog park, including dog obstacles, trees for shade, benches and two separate runs, one for larger dogs and one for smaller ones. He’s also seeing if a dog wash station could be incorporated.
“We’ll make as much use of the property as we can, going up to the bike path,” Minchuk said.
He said it would be paid from Broadway tax increment financing funds.
The council also learned that Pastor Dennis Walton, of Faith Temple of Christ Church, has agreed to be the second police chaplain.
Police Chief Wiley Cuttino said Walton would join current police chaplain Randy Scott.
“He showed an interest in what the police department does and is willing to be the second chaplain for the police department,” Cuttino said.
Councilwoman Margaret Uzelac, D-4th, said Walton has been active in her ward.
“Pastor Walton has been a pastor in my ward for 23 years. He built a gym. We have a very good diversity program in our ward thanks to him,” Uzelac said.
“He’s very good with the children in the neighborhood,” she said.
The council also approved a proposed Home Good Sales Services store at6112 Broadway, in the Crossroads Plaza. It will have consignment sales of art, antiques, memorabilia, home goods and other items.
Councilman Leonard White, D-7th, supported the new business. “That area really needs something,” White said of the plaza.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
