January 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM
7408 Constitution Ave. Cedar Lake, IN 46303 - Town Hall Meeting Room
| Member/Staff | Position | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Norman Stick | Chairman | Present |
| Lester Kaper | Vice-Chairman | Absent |
| Barbara Littles | Member | Present |
| Larry Nagy | Member | Present |
| David Villalobos | Member | Absent |
| John Gruszka | Police Chief | Present |
| Carl Brittingham | Deputy Police Chief | Absent |
| Nick Mager | Fire Chief | Present |
| David Austgen | Town Attorney | Absent |
| Mary Joan Dickson | Town Council Liaison | Absent |
| Robert Carnahan | Town Council Liaison | Present |
| Chuck Becker | Town Council Liaison | Absent |
| Ben Eldridge | Town Manager | Absent |
| Cheryl Hajduk | Recording Secretary | Present |
A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Larry Nagy, to appoint Norm Stick as Chairman to the Board of Safety.
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes. Vote: 3-0.
Result: Norman Stick elected as Chairman
Mr. Stick took over as Chairman.
Two nominations made for Vice President: Charlie (Ms. Littles) and Larry (Mr. Nagy). Discussion occurred about whether Chairman can make nominations - confirmed by precedent from previous year.
A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Norman Stick, to appoint Charlie Kaper as Vice President to the Board of Safety.
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - No, Stick - No
A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Norman Stick, to appoint Larry Nagy as Vice President to the Board of Safety.
Roll call vote: Littles - No, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes
Result: Larry Nagy elected as Vice President
Stick called for Public Comment. None was had.
A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Larry Nagy, to approve the December 18, 2025 Regular Public Meeting.
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes. Vote: 3-0.
Result: Motion passed unanimously
Lieutenant Jack Yauger reported we had three details, eight miscellaneous hours with a total of 20 hours for the month with no equipment failures and overall good health and morale among personnel.
Police Chief Gruszka commented we received a letter of gratitude from a victim in domestic violence case praising Officer Corbin and Officer Lukas for responding and handling situation both delicately and professionally. Victim expressed pride in Cedar Lake Police Department.
Received complaints about people doing donuts in baseball field parking lot when it snows. Police sending units there periodically throughout night during snow events.
Police Chief Gruszka commented No purchase order report since system was closed in December. A purchase order has been submitted for 18 firearm flashlights pending approval, complementing an existing stock of 30 firearms. Town council approved the purchase of a Tesla electric vehicle, advancing fleet modernization efforts.
Chief Gruszka commented that grant funding is progressing with an expected $2,500 MAC grant for K9 training and a SAFE grant application planned for April to support overtime.
Discussion about potentially starting process to advertise for new officer positions to build eligibility list for when openings occur. Chief Gruszka indicated they are planning to sit down with staff in February to discuss.
A motion was made by Mr. Nagy and seconded by Ms. Littles to approve the applications for purpose of establishment of a hiring list.
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes. Vote: 3-0.
Result: Motion passed unanimously
Police Chief Gruszka commented training report included in packet.
Police Chief Gruszka commented the Department is seeking to obtain 300 traffic cones for EVOC training. Quote of $2,400 received and still seeking funding source. Last year borrowed cones from county for EVOC training. Officer Meyer set up excellent course at middle school using department squad cars.
Mr. Stick inquired about vehicle with undercarriage damage ("bottom bender"). Chief reported still waiting on estimate. Vehicle is drivable but has plastic damage to undercarriage so limiting use until repaired.
Police Chief Gruszka reported for December, included:
Police department planning to review Lexipol updates next week internally, then schedule meeting with Larry Nagy and David Villalobos to finalize. Same team as last time will handle review.
Police Chief Gruszka commented we are working on a community outreach event for child car seat check at new fire department. Currently coordinating details. Originally tentatively planned for May, later updated to March. Fire Chief later confirmed specific date: Friday, March 6, 2026.
Chief Gruszka reported on Tuesday domestic call involving troubled young man with knife who expressed desire to die by suicide by cop. Officer Meyer and Sergeant Fisher talked to subject and successfully calmed him, got him to put knife down, and took him into custody. Fire department transported him to hospital for mental health evaluation.
Personnel involved: Officer Meyer and Sergeant Fisher (primary communication), Corporal Pennington, Officer Corbin, Officer Lukas, and Chief Gruszka. Chief praised entire team - noted Meyer and Fisher did most talking, but gave equal credit to other officers for staying quiet and observing rather than interjecting, which Chief characterized as harder and very noble.
Mr. Stick requested Chief put letter of commendation in personnel files. Ms. Littles affirmed department has excellent group of officers.
Fire Chief Mager commented there were no purchase orders for December and we closed out 2025 at approximately 90% of budge utilized.
A motion was made by Barbara Littles, seconded by Larry Nagy, to approve the December 2025 Purchase Requisitions.
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes. Vote: 3-0.
Result: Motion passed unanimously
Fire Chief Mager commented hiring advertisement active with closing date February 6th.
Fire Chief Mager commented Annual training report in 2025 annual report was in the packet.
Fire Chief Mager commented annual PM, service, and DOT inspections currently being scheduled. The new engine expected to arrive within next week or two.
Fire Chief Mager commented there were 2,558 incidents for the year.
Fire Chief Mager commented the Lexipol contract came to agreement. Discounted rate of $8,000/year secured within 2026 budget.
Chief Mager commented updates are basic and required because January 1st switched national reporting requirements (NFIRS to NEMSIS). Mainly verbiage changes and punctuation. Updates relate to PHI/HIPAA regulations and NEMSIS EMS reporting.
Time-sensitive: Already operating under NEMSIS federal requirements. Board discussed amending agenda to approve updates immediately.
A motion was made by Ms. Littles and seconded by Mr. Nagy to amend the agenda to approve Lexipol policy updates.
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes. Vote: 3-0.
Result: Agenda amended
Chief Mager identified four policy updates:
A motion was made by Ms. Littles and seconded by Mr. Nagy to approve the Lexipol policy updates (Policies 333, 327, 803, and 401).
Roll call vote: Littles - Yes, Nagy - Yes, Stick - Yes. Vote: 3-0.
Result: Motion passed unanimously
Mr. Carnahan commented we received the same reports at the Town Council meeting and thanked them for doing an excellent job.
None was had.
None was had.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.