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| Q. | Where should I send mail to the Town? |
| A. | Town of Munster
1005 Ridge Road
Munster, Indiana 46321 |
| Q. | What do I do if my drivway or car is snow plowed in by a Town truck? |
| A. | When persons are inadvertently plowed into a space or their driveway has snow plowed into it, citizens are asked to do whatever they can to open up their private drive themselves. During snowstorms it is not possible to plow the street without plowing snow against parked cars or into driveway entrances. The Town needs to provide the greatest service for the greatest number at any one time. |
| 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. | 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. | Does Munster Parks and Recreation offcer programs or activities designed especially for seniors? |
| A. | Munster Parks & Recreation offers the "Keen Agers" program for seniors age 55 and older. "Keen Agers" are eligible for activities, trips, parties and discount programs. Call Munster Parks & Recreation for more information at 836-6920. |
| Q. | What should be done when a sewer back up occurs? |
| A. | There are two types of sewers, storm and sanitary sewers. These drains are handled as follows: If a blockage in the Town's main sewer line is suspected, call the Public Works Department at 836-6970, and they will dispatch a truck to clean out the line immediately. If the problem is in the service line between the citizen's house and the town's sewer line, the caller will be advised to call a private sewer cleaning service to have the sewer cleaned at their own expense. If there is any doubt where the back up is located, the town's Sewer Department will be dispatched to make that determination. After normal working hours, call the Munster Police Department non-emergency number, 836-6600. |
| Q. | Are there special "size" limitations on signs? |
| A. | Sign size is regulated by Town code. Contact the Community Development Department for more information at 836-6990. |
| Q. | Who maintains the railroad crossings? |
| A. | It is the individual railroad company's responsibility to keep their crossings in goood condition. If a hazardous condition develops, call the Public Works Officer at 836-6970. |
| Q. | Whom do I call to report a malfunctioning railroad signal? |
| A. | Call the non-emergency police number 836-6600. |
| Q. | Where can I obtain a copy of an accident report? |
| A. | A copy of the report may be obtained from the records division of the Munster Police Department. A reproduction fee will apply at the time of pick-up. |
| 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. | What should a person do about a dispute over property lines? |
| A. | The Lake County Assessor's Office is located in the Lake County Municipal Building, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Their phone number is 755-3000. |
| Q. | What do you do when you are locked out of your house or business? |
| A. | In an emergency such as a child inside a home or business or in the case of a potential fire hazard call 911. For non-emergency situations (no threats to life) call a locksmith. |
| Q. | Where do I go to report lost or stolen property? Where do I go to see if anyone has found lost or stolen property? |
| A. | Call the police department at 836-6600. |
| 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. | Where can a citizen legally park? |
| A. | No parking areas marked parking spaces or on any other towns streets. |
| 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. | Where are the sewer permits obtained? |
| A. | Sewer permits can be obtained through the Community Development Department. For more information, call 836-6990. |
| Q. | Where are the sewer permits obtained? |
| A. | Sewer permits can be obtained through the Community Development Department. For more information, call 836-6990. |
| Q. | Does the Town allow billborads? |
| A. | Billboards are not allowed by the Town of Munster. |
| Q. | Where do I report damaged signs? |
| A. | You may report damaged signs to the Public Works Department at 836-6970. |
| Q. | Are there location limitations on where signs can be hung or posted? |
| A. | There are several limitations on where signs can be hung or posted. For more information, call the Community Development Department at 836-6990. |
| Q. | What if a medical or some other emergency arises and I am still snowed in? |
| A. | Call 911, and the necessary equipment will be dispatched. |
| Q. | What is the definition of a "junk motor vehicle". |
| A. | A "junk motor vehicle" is defined to be any motor vehicle or part, or parts thereof, which meets any one of the following qualifications.
1. Does not display a current valid state license plate;
2. Cannot be operated safely under its own power;
3. Is qualified but is not carried on the most recent tax assessment records of the county'
4. Does not have equipment upon it which is in good working order and adjustment, as required by the laws of the state;
5. As to a part or parts of any motor vehicle only, is not kept inside a garage or other other building. |
| Q. | Where do I report "junk vehicles"? |
| A. | Report any and all "junk motor vehicles" to the Community Service Officer at 836-6659. The Community Service Officer may issue a warning and/or a fine. The police may order a "junk motor vehicle" removed. |
| Q. | Can leaves be burned inside the Town of Munster? |
| A. | Leaf burning is prohibited in the Town of Munster. |
| Q. | Does the Town of Munster provide leaf pickup? |
| A. | The Street Department collects leaves for approximately 6-7 weeks (mid October to late November) in the fall and 1-2 weeks in the spring, depending on demand. There is no charge for residents and the service is available to single and multi-family units. There are no specific days when the street department will vaccum your leaves. The street department begins at the north end of Town and works their way south. The leaf vacs will pass your home once every two weeks. The street department starts from the area they left off previously. |
| Q. | What holidays are officially observed by the Town? |
| A. | New Year's Eve
New Year's Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day |
| Q. | What do I do if I'm stranded in my car in an emergency situation? |
| A. | If you are in a threatening situation, such as if you are being followed, you should report the situation to the Police Department by calling 911 if you have a cellular phone. Otherwise, you should proceed to a well-lighted public place where there are other people present. |
| 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. | 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. | How do I sign up for public safety text alerts and notifications? |
| A. | The police and fire departments subscribe to a serve called NIXLE. Persons wishing to sign up for text alerts and email notifications may do so at www.nixle.com. Subscription is free and all subscriber information is confidential. |
| Q. | Where do I go for copies of Town records? |
| A. | The Departmental Contact Persons are:
Town Manager's Office -
Secretary to the Town Manager, 836-6904
Clerk-Treasurer's Office -
Deputy Clerk, 836-6940
Public Works Department -
Secretary to the Director of Operations, 83-6970
Community Development Department -
Secretary to the Town Engineer, 836-6990
Parks & Recreation Department -
Secretary to the Director of Parks & Recreation, 836-6924
Police Department -
Secretary to the Police Chief, 836-6654
Fire Department -
Secretary to the Fire Chief, 836-6960
|
| Q. | To whom do I call to report a spill or leak of hazardous materials? |
| A. | Spills or leaks of Hazardous material should be reported to the Fire Department by calling the emergency 911 number. |
| Q. | To whom do I report situations involving the illegal or improper disposal of hazardous material? |
| A. | If the material being improperly disposed of is flammable or there is a danger from gas being released, you should contact the Fire Department by calling 836-6960. If the material is being discharged into the Munster sewer system, you should contact Munster Public Works at 836-6970. In all other cases, the Community Development Department should be contacted at 836-6990. If you notice the problem after hours, you may call 836-6600, and police dispatch will notify the proper department. |
| Q. | What should be done with dead animals? |
| A. | Contact the Community Service Officer at 836-6659, and they will contact the Humane Society. |
| Q. | What should be done with an injured or wounded animal? |
| A. | Contact the Community Service Officer at 836-6659. |
| Q. | Are there limits on the number and types of animals a person can have in his/her home? |
| A. | The code allows residents to license three (3) animals. |
| Q. | What should be done with lost animals? |
| A. | Residents should call the Community Service Officer at 836-6659 and the Humane Society at922-3811. |
| Q. | What are the Ordinances pertaining to cleaning up after a pet? |
| A. | Section 4-12 of the Town Code states that the owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excretion deposited by his/her animal on public walks, recreation areas,or private property. |
| Q. | Where do I get a job application for town employment? |
| A. | The most convenient place to pick up an application for town employment is in the Town Manager's Office. The address is 1005 Ridge Road. for further information call 219-836-6900. |
| Q. | What should I do about a basement flooding? |
| A. | If your basement is flooding, you can call the Water Department for information and assistance at 836-6971, 836-6970 or the Town Hall at 836-6900. |
| Q. | Where do I go to report lost or stolen property? Where do I go to see if anyone has found lost or stolen property? |
| A. | Call the police department at 219-836-6600 |
| Q. | Whom do I call if there is a "gas" odor in my basement? |
| A. | Leave the house immediately, then call 911 for the Fire Department. The Fire Department will assess the situation and notify NIPSCO. |
| Q. | What is the Town's Ordinance concerning blight? |
| A. | Section 18-24 states that the failure to maintain houses, buildings, or structures, or real estate, shall be in violation if the lack of maintenance results in any of the following: 1. Structural deterioration rendering the house unsafe; 2. An unsafe or unhealthy condition of public utilities used in connection with the house, building or structure; 3. The existence of a usage conducive to the propagation of illness or disease; and/or; 4. A gross or notorious state of general disrepair or dilapidation, or an imminent hazard to public health, safety and welfare, such that a blight on the neighborhood exists causing economic devaluation of surrounding properties. |
| Q. | What Boards and Commissions does the Town have? |
| A. | The successful operation of the Town is dependent upon the efforts of the volunteers who serve on our various Boards and Commissions. |
| 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. | What office collects and disseminates population and census data? |
| A. | Contact the Data Processing Specialist at 836-6910. |
| Q. | Is there a local Chamber of Commerce? |
| A. | The Munster Chamber of Commerce is located at:
1040 Ridge Road
Munster, Indiana 46321
They may be reached at 836-5549. |
| Q. | How do I make a complaint about a town service? |
| A. | Complaints should be forwarded according to their topic to the most appropriate Town Department. If this is not clear, report it to the Town Manager's Office. Consult the Departmental Directory on the website. |
| 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. | Where do I get permits for construction? |
| A. | All permits for construction can be obtained in the Community Development Department, at 1005 Ridge Road. If you have any questions, you can call 836-6990. |
| 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. | What can be done about deteriorated property and other dangerous health and safety situations? |
| A. | Maintenance of deteriorated property is regulated by Town Ordinances. The Community Development Department provides the primary enforcement of these Ordinances. For general information or problem situations contact a Town Building Inspector at 836-6990, and be prepared to give specific information on the location of the problem with the street address of the deteriorated property. |
| Q. | What office provides property dimensions? |
| A. | This information is available at the Community Development Department for most new developments, and for some older ones as well. You can call 836-6990 for more information. For properties not on file with the Town, property owners should go to the County Recorder's Office, in Crown Point, and retrieve the information from the plat books. |
| Q. | Whom do I contact when the drainage ditch near my house floods and causes flooding in my basement/yard/drveway, etc.? |
| A. | If there is any problem with a drainage ditch, contact the Munster Public works Department at 836-6970 or 836-6971. |
| Q. | Whom do I contact in case of a downed power line or a damaged transformer? |
| A. | Report either problem immediately to the Munster Fire Department due to the risk of fire or shock. If you see a downed power line, call 911 to report it. |
| Q. | Whom do I call if I do not have electric service? |
| A. | Report either problem immediately to NIPSCO due to the risk of fire or shock. Call 647-7000, for TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) 1(800)635-0952. |
| Q. | What is the number for emergency ambulance service in the Town of Munster. |
| A. | Emergency Ambulance Service is on the 911 system. |
| 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. | 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. | Who is responsible for removing snow and ice around apartment buildings and businesses? |
| A. | The owner of a business or an apartment building is responsible for cleaning off sidewalks and areas around their buildings. No person shall deposit or place any snow or ice resulting from clearing operations upon any street or sidewalk. |
| Q. | To whom should requests for street repairs be directed? |
| A. | The Public Works Department, 836-6970 or 836-6971 should be contacted with a specific location and description of problems. Factors taken into consideration when scheduling street repairs include: the extent of the damage, cause of damage (sewer collapse, blow-ups from heat, etc.), whether the street is a major thoroughfare or a lightly traveled side street, whether or not the street is already scheduled for maintenance in the near future, and the availability of time and resources. |
| Q. | Who schedules routine street maintenance? |
| A. | Routine street repairs are scheduled and performed by the Director of Operations. Call the Public Works Ofice at 836-6970 or 836-6971, to request the repair of a specific street. The Town Manager approves the more extensive street repairs. This work is done with Motor Fuel Tax or Capital Improvement Funds. |
| Q. | Where do I report damaged or missing traffic control signs? |
| A. | Since damaged or missing traffic control signs can become a serious traffic hazard, problems should be reported immediately to the Munster Police Department. The Police will assess the situation and notify Public Works maintenance personnel if necessary. |
| Q. | Whom do I call to find out where a sump pump can be discharged, or to report an illegally discharging sump pump? |
| A. | The Community Development Department should be contacted in either case. The Commuity Development Department can be reached at 836-6990. |
| Q. | Where do I apply for ownership titles for automobiles and other motor vehicles? |
| A. | Ownership titles may be applied for at the State of Indiana Auto License Branches. |
| 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 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. |
| Q. | Where can I obtain handicapped parking stickers/cards? |
| A. | Temporary handicapped stickers may be obtained at the Munster Police Department. Permanent handicapped identification cards may be obtained from the Auto License Branch. |
| Q. | What do I do when I am locked out of my vehicle? |
| A. | Locked vehicles are classified as emergency or non-emergency situations. An emergency situation involves any threat to life as a child locked inside a car, a person alone after dark, or an adult without the capacity to let himself out. In an emergency situation, call 911. For non-emergency situations (no threat to life) call a locksmith. |
