Storm Water Management Board

The Town of Merrillville Storm Water Management Board oversees the operation and enforcement of stormwater regulations and future planning of the Town’s storm water drainage system.  Historically, Storm Water Management has focused primarily on handling the “quantity” of rain water and resulting flooding issues.  Today, the Federal Clean Water Act, various state regulations, and environment best practices dictate that municipalities focus not only on “quantity”, but also water “quality”.  This board will proactively encourage progressive stormwater engineering design, decreasing water pollution, wetland protection, and environmentally friendly measures to reduce flooding impacts.  Examples include green roofs, rain gardens, pervious pavement, etc.   

The following Merrillville residents serve on the Storm Water Management Board:

Bud Crist, President

Barbara Gholston, Vice President

Dorinda Gregor, Secretary

Additional staff support is provided by Steve Benczik, Town Engineer; Steve Bower, Town Attorney; and Howard Fink, Community Development Director.  Councilman Tom Goralczyk serves as liaison to the Merrillville Town Council.

Public Meetings

The Storm Water Management Board Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:00pm.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Why is Storm Water Management A Problem?

Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants that flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water.  Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.   

Storm Water Management Utility

In response to federal / state regulations requiring storm water management enforcement as well as needed infrastructure upgrades to reduce flooding, the Town of Merrillville is evaluating a Town wide utility user fee to raise the revenue needed to correct flooding, improve water quality, and maintain our drainage systems.  The Town of Merrillville and Storm Water Management Board are holding community meetings at Merrillville Town Hall to discuss the proposed utility / user fee on:

              Monday, July 14th, 2008: 6:00 p.m.

              Monday, August 11th, 2008 6:00 p.m.

              Monday, September 8th, 2008 6:00 p.m.

Please join us in discussing this critical issue.