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Where can people go to register animals (i.e. dogs and cats)?
Who should be contacted to answer questions about the Sanitary Sewer Fee and assessments for it?
What approval is needed to conduct charitable or commercial solications?
Is there an appeal process for taxes?
Where do I apply for real property (house) titles?
How can I get a tour of the Munster Town Hall, Fire Department and Police Department?
What is the procedure for addressing the Town Council at a Regular Meeting?
What items will be discussed on the Agenda of the next Regular Council Meeting?
How do I find out which Council Distrit I am in?
When are Council elections held?
What is the Sanitary Sewer User Fee?
Where are polling places located in Munster?
Where can I get a passport?
How can a citizen apply for appointment to a Town Board or Commission?
How do I start a new business? Whom do I contact?
Whom should I contact when I feel that a business has acted fraudulently, or has not met a commonly prescribed level of service?
How can copies of Town Records be obtained?
Where are fines paid?
What types of licenses are needed to start a business and where does a prospective business operator acquire a business license?
Where do I apply for marriage licenses?
Where do I apply for licenses to operate vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles?
Where can fines be paid for Ordinance violatons?
What is the Town Council?

View Answers
  Q. Where can people go to register animals (i.e. dogs and cats)?
  A.The Clerk-Treasurer's Office in the Munster Town Hall handles the registration of animals. All animals must have a current certificate of rabies vaccination in order to be registered.
  Q. Who should be contacted to answer questions about the Sanitary Sewer Fee and assessments for it?
  A.If you have questions or complaints about anything relating to the Sanitary Sewer Fee, you should contact the Hammond Sanitary District at 853-6520.
  Q. What approval is needed to conduct charitable or commercial solications?
  A.The procedure is the same for commercial and non-profit solicitation licenses. To obtain a solicitation permit, you must apply in person at the Customer Service Center. You must supply a government issued picture ID and submit to a background check. There is a $5 investigation fee and a nominal permit fee based on length of solicitation. An exception is made for some federally protected groups, such as religious organizations and political groups.
  Q. Is there an appeal process for taxes?
  A.You may make property tax payments at some local banks, or at the Lake county Treasurer's Office.
  Q. Where do I apply for real property (house) titles?
  A.Titles for homes may be obtained through real estate/land companies.
  Q. How can I get a tour of the Munster Town Hall, Fire Department and Police Department?
  A.All Town Departments can provide tours. If you want a Town Hall tour, contact the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at 836-6940. However, you must contact the Town Manager's Office to arrange a tour in advance for all other Departments. Tours can be scheduled by contacting the Fire Department at 836-6960 and/or the Police Department at 836-6600.
  Q. What is the procedure for addressing the Town Council at a Regular Meeting?
  A.Citizens are given the opportunity to speak on a specific issue during the regular council meetings. Comments are usually limited to five minutes and limited to the topic of discussion. Citizens may also voice their concerns on any matter at the end of regular council meetings. When addressing the Council give you name and home address for the record.
  Q. What items will be discussed on the Agenda of the next Regular Council Meeting?
  A.The Clerk-Treasurer's Office and the Town Manager's Office have copies of the agenda available on the day of the meetings. Agendas are also available in the Main Meeting room during the Council Meetings. For information on an agenda, call 836-6940 or 836-6900.
  Q. How do I find out which Council Distrit I am in?
  A.Call the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at 836-6940, and they will be able to tell you which district you are located. Since all Munster residents vote for all Council elections, the only time you should need this information is if you plan to run for Town Council.
  Q. When are Council elections held?
  A.Election of all four Town Council members, and the Clerk-Treasurer are held every four years. Primary elections are held in April, and the General election is held in November. The next election year will be 2011.
  Q. What is the Sanitary Sewer User Fee?
  A.The Hammond Sanitary district bills residents monthly on the Town's water bill, for a maintenance and rehabilitation program for the Town's sanitary sewer system. The billing is determined upon an average daily water usage reading, multiplied by the Hammond Sanitary Districts rate. The program is implemented in a systematic fashion with a predetermined amount of sewers maintained and rehabilitated each year, as mandated by Federal regulations.
  Q. Where are polling places located in Munster?
  A.The polling places in Munster are located in a number of public places and are advertised in the local paper the week before an election. If you have questions about polling places in Munster, call the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at 836-6940.
  Q. Where can I get a passport?
  A.Passports can be obtained at the Munster Branch of the U.S. Post Office. For more information, call the Post Office at 836-8225. The Munster Branch is located at 915 Ridge Road.
  Q. How can a citizen apply for appointment to a Town Board or Commission?
  A.If you are interested in becoming involved in Town Government by serving on a Board or Commission, stop by the Clerk-Treasurer's Office and pick up a Nominating Committee application or call the office at 836-6940. All applicants are screened by the Nominating Committee with final appointments made by the Town Council.
  Q. How do I start a new business? Whom do I contact?
  A.You must register your new business with the Town. Business applications can be obtained and filled out in the Customer Service Center. For further information, call 836-6951.
  Q. Whom should I contact when I feel that a business has acted fraudulently, or has not met a commonly prescribed level of service?
  A.Contact the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Indiana Inc. office at 980-1511, or Merrillville number 769-8053. The Better Business Bureau is located at 4189 Cleveland, in Gary.
  Q. How can copies of Town Records be obtained?
  A.Copies of Town Records may be requested from the Customer Service Center. Public Records may be viewed at that department. There is a $.10 per page copy charge with the exception of those items that already have an assigned value.
  Q. Where are fines paid?
  A.Traffic tickets, fines and parking tickets can be paid in the Customer Service Center, 1005 Ridge Road. If you have any questions, call the Clerk-Treasurer's Office at 836-6940.
  Q. What types of licenses are needed to start a business and where does a prospective business operator acquire a business license?
  A.All businesses must obtain a business license from the Customer Service Center, at 1005 Ridge Road. After you have obtained a business license, all subsequent renewal applications will be mailed to you. If you have any questions regarding a business license, phone 836-6951.
  Q. Where do I apply for marriage licenses?
  A.To obtain a marriage license, you must go to the Lake County Clerk's Office in Crown Point. The number ther is 755-3440.
  Q. Where do I apply for licenses to operate vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles?
  A.Motor vehicle licenses are obtained through any branch of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The nearest branches are located in Schererville and in Hammond.
  Q. Where can fines be paid for Ordinance violatons?
  A.Fines for ordinance violations can be paid at the Customer Service Center,located at the Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road. Fines may not be paid by check.
  Q. What is the Town Council?
  A.The governing body of the Town of Munster is a five-member Town Council elected for four year terms. The Town is divided into five districts and each Council member resides in a different district, but is elected at large to ensure that the whole community is served and not just a series of neighborhoods competing against each other for services. Any resident can contact any or all of their council members for assistance. The council annually elects one of its members as President.

The council employs a Town Manager, approves an annual budget, authorizes expenditures, and appoints members of the following Boards and Commissions, and Committees:
Park Board
Econimic Development Commission
Board of Safety
Nominating Committee
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
Munster Cable Advisory Board (MUNCAB)
Plan Commission
Special Advisory Board
Board of Public Projects
Solid Waste Committee

Three members of the Town Council serve as full members of the Plan Commision. The President of the Council serves as the Prsident of the Police Pension Board. Two members serve as full members of the Lake County Solid Waste Management District Board. One of the Council members serves on the Community Hospital Board and on NIRPC.

In addition each member is assigned as liaison to two or more Boards, Commissions and Committees. It is not unusual for a council member to attend meetings several nights a week for the Town. They also attend many community and regional activities as representatives of the Town.

The Council has the power to make and establish Ordinances and regulations not in conflict with the laws of the State of Indiana or the Federal government.

Some of the Council's goals include:

To insure prudent use of the taxpayer's dollars;

To Provide effective management of the legislative and administrative structure and programs necessary to deliver Town services;

To maintain and enhance the public's investment in capital facilities and equipment required for delivery of Town services;

To encourage, assist and sustain well-planned residential, commercial and industrial growth.

To sustain and expand cooperative efforts with neighboring communities, governmental agencies and other groups to accomplish mutual goals; and,

To maintain good communications with the citizens of Munster and sustain "Quality of Life" programs within the Town.

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