The Board of Works, City of Hammond, approved a series of routine personnel moves, contract approvals and funding allocations at its Dec. 4, 2025 meeting while also setting status dates for several ongoing code-enforcement matters.

Among the actions the board approved were the appointment of Stanley Thomas Thompson Jr. as a probationary police officer for a one-year probationary period effective Dec. 4, 2025, and the promotion of Officer Christopher Doty to corporal effective Nov. 15, 2025. The board also approved a personnel change in the fire department that staff described in the meeting record (the transcript contains garbled text describing that change; see audit notes). All personnel items were approved by voice votes following motions and seconds.

The board approved $50,000 in CIB funding for an annual geotechnical on-call services agreement with Advanced Engineering Services, $26,000 for a rectangular rapid flashing beacon near 169th in Woodmar to assist students crossing near a new coffee shop, and $26,764 to replace a traffic-signal pole at the southwest corner of Columbia Avenue and Summer. Engineering staff recommended a one-week work window to complete the work with a contingency start date of Dec. 20 to avoid conflicts with Hammond City schools.

Other approvals included a workers' compensation renewal with Gallagher Bassett, renewal of an amusement-device license for Pudlow's Tap and Top Tier, and an engagement letter to continue contracting Kevin Smith of Smith Sersick LLC for corporation counsel services. The board also approved change order no. 1 for the 2025 City of Hammond lighting project with Neese Engineering Inc. as a credit in the amount of negative $15,089.78; staff said the project came in under budget and recommended the adjustment.

Engineering also presented two right-of-way permits from Nipsco Gas to replace critical valves at Orchard and Grand and at 173rd and Grama. Staff recommended and the board approved the permits with the contingency to begin after Dec. 20 and to limit the work window to approximately one week to reduce impacts during school days.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve Nov. 20, 2025 minutes — moved and seconded, approved by voice vote; appointment of probationary police officer and promotion to corporal — approved by voice votes after motion and second; $50,000 CIB geotech services agreement — approved; $26,000 RF beacon and $26,764 signal-pole replacement — approved; workers' compensation renewal — approved; amusement-device license renewal for Pudlow's Tap and Top Tier — approved; engagement letter for Kevin Smith (Smith Sersick LLC) — approved; change order credit for Neese Engineering Inc. ($-15,089.78) — approved; right-of-way permits for Nipsco — approved with start-date contingency.

Unidentified Speaker 3, a department representative, described the geotechnical service as "an annual on-call service for a geotech for our projects" and recommended approval. The board discussed logistical details and school schedules before approving the Nipsco permits.

The meeting record shows unanimous voice approvals on the listed items. The board adjourned after a brief public-comment period.

The board set follow-up status dates for several ongoing property items (see separate article on code-enforcement statuses).