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1. My neighbor's grass is over the 10-inch ordinance. Who do I call?

Call the Building Department at 219-926-2610 and the Code Enforcement Officer will come out to inspect the property.

2. What do I need to become a licensed contractor in the Town of Chesterton?

Questions regarding contractor registration should be addressed to the Building Department Office at 219-926-2610 or the contractor application, which is available on our website. The application outlines what is required.

3. How do I obtain a building permit?

Contact the Building Department at 219-926-2610 or view the building forms and applications page.

4. Do I need a permit for my project?

Please call the Building Department at 219-926-2610 if you have any questions on whether or not a permit is necessary.

5. Is my contractor licensed, bonded and insured?

Any questions regarding contractors can be directed to the Building Department at 219-926-2610.

6. What is my property zoned as?

Contact the Building Department at 219-926-2610 or view the town zoning map.

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1. Is Chesterton Fire Department a volunteer department?

Chesterton Fire is a "combination" department, we currently have 17 career firefighters and 16 volunteers.

2. Is the Fire Department taking applications?

Chesterton Fire is currently accepting applications for volunteer positions. When we are accepting applications for career positions it will be advertised in the newspapers and town websites.

3. Will Chesterton Fire visit and make an appearance for birthday parties?

Yes, as long as the appointment has been scheduled in advance and we are available.

4. Will Chesterton Fire fill swimming pools?

No, we will not fill swimming pools. Chesterton Fire does not own the hydrants and does not have permission from the water company to use water for that purpose.

Contact the water company and sewer utilities and arrangements can be made to fill from your tap (most pools can be filled over night) without charge for the sewer or water consumption.

5. Does Chesterton Fire Department provide an ambulance service?

The Town of Chesterton currently provides Advance Life Support ambulance service through a public/private partnership. This partnership allows the Chesterton Fire Department to provide ALS transport service to all of it's residents and visitors on a 24/7 basis.

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1. I have a question about my utility bill. Who do I call?

Any questions regarding your utility bill (sewage, stormwater, or refuse pick up) should be addressed to the Utility Billling Office at 219-926-1572.

2. My neighbor's grass is over the 10-inch ordinance. Who do I call?

Call the Building Department at 219-926-2610 and the Code Enforcement Officer will come out to inspect the property.

3. My water was shut off. What do I do?

If your water was shut off due to nonpayment of the water bill, call Indiana American Water whose number is listed on your bill. If your water was shut off due to nonpayment of sewer fees, call the Chesterton Utility Department at 219-926-1572. There is a $43 shut off fee in either case.

4. How do I get my name on a paver stone in Thomas Centennial Park?

The Park Department has the order forms available at their office and the paver stones are $35 each. At this time, due to the backlog we are not accepting orders. We apologize for any inconvenience.

5. How do I get my leaves / branches picked up?

Call the Street Department at 219-926-2222 to schedule a pick up for the branches. Leaf pick up is on a schedule in the fall starting the 3rd week in October for about 5 weeks and also during "Spring Clean-Up Week" in April.

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1. How do I get my name on a paver stone in Thomas Centennial Park?

The Park Department has the order forms available at their office and the paver stones are $35 each. At this time, due to the backlog, we are not accepting orders. We apologize for any inconvenience.

2. Can I rent the hall at Hawthorne Park?

Hawthorne Park belongs to the Town of Porter. They can be reached at 219-921-1687.

3. Can I rent the shelter at Coffee Creek Preserve?

Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy, Inc. owns the Pavilion. Please call 219-926-1842 for rental information.

4. Can I register for Duneland Soccer Club with the Chesterton Park Department?

The Duneland Soccer Club is it's own entity and is not run by the Park Department. Its current head is Mark O'Dell; his number is 219-929-1340. Duneland Soccer Club uses the fields at Dogwood as home base for practices and games.

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1. Why do we pay a monthly storm water fee?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), urbanized areas have the greatest potential to pollute storm water runoff.

USEPA established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Phase II regulations in 2003 requiring municipalities over a 10,000 population to develop storm water quality management plans (Phase I regulations enacted in 1990 apply to communities with populations over 100,000 like Indianapolis.) This regulation was enacted as an unfunded mandate.

Chesterton developed a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) that states our goals and objectives for minimizing pollutants in storm water runoff. In order to cover the costs of implementing the SWQMP Chesterton established storm water fees for residents and commercial / industrial property owners.

2. I don't have storm sewers serving my property, why am I being charged this fee?

Every property contributes to and places a demand on the storm water conveyance system. Every property benefits from the town's Storm Water Quality Program activities, whether or not there is a constructed storm sewer connected directly to their property.

The town's vast storm water conveyance system consists of both natural and constructed features, many of which are not obvious. In addition to the traditional storm sewer system, the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) conveyance system includes roads, ditches, swales, and culverts.

Under the federal MS4 mandate, the town must manage the entire storm water conveyance system, which includes providing water quality protection, conveyance system mapping, water sampling and testing, watershed planning, public education and outreach, and other programs for the benefit of the entire community.

3. I was informed that my bill is based on my property's "impervious surface," what is an "impervious surface?"

It is the area on a property that is covered by buildings, driveways, parking areas, and other hard surfaces (concrete, gravel asphalt, roof-tops) that prevent storm water runoff from being absorbed into the ground. Consequently, storm water runoff picks up pollutants deposited on these impervious surfaces, such as oil, gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals and carries them to our waterways.

In addition, as runoff travels over impervious surfaces, it gains speed and erodes soil near or in the waterways, adding another pollutant called sediment.

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1. How do I get my leaves / branches picked up?

Call the Street Department at 219-926-2222 to schedule a pick up for the branches. Leaf pick up is on a schedule in the fall starting the 3rd week in October for about 5 weeks and also during "Spring Clean-Up Week" in April.

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1. I have a question about my utility bill. Who do I call?

Any questions regarding your utility bill (sewage, stormwater, or refuse pick up) should be addressed to the Utility Billing Office at 219-926-1572.

2. Where do I pay my utility bill?

You can either mail in or drop off your bill inside of the Municipal Complex at 1490 Broadway. If paying after hours, there is a box outside of the Municipal Complex.

Chesterton Utility customers that pay their bill through their bank will need to notify their bank of our new address, 1490 Broadway #2. The banks mail the Utility Department a check, it is not an electronic transfer. If you have questions, please contact the Utility Office at 219-926-1572.

3. My water was shut off. What do I do?

If your water was shut off due to nonpayment of the water bill, call Indiana American Water whose number is listed on your bill. If your water was shut off due to nonpayment of sewer fees, call the Chesterton Utility Department at 219-926-1572. There is a $43 shut off fee in either case.