Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Pierceton Town Council agreed to an easement of a right-of-way for the maintenance, inspection and repair of a fiber line during a council meeting Tuesday.
Town attorney Tammy Keirn was contacted by an engineering firm that is asking for a 5-feet strip within the public right-of-way for them to repair, inspect and maintain an underground fiber optic line on Ryerson Road. When Council President Glenn Hall asked Town Superintendent Casey Boggs if there was any conflict with it, Boggs stated he saw no issues because of it mainly being farmland. The easement of the right-of-way for the fiber line was approved.
In other business, Dawn Wilkinson, director of projects and operations at Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, came to present the council the fee amount for the town's community service agreement, which will help with the economic development of the town and the county. Wilkinson let the council know that the fee did not change from last year, which totaled $5,475. The agreement was approved by the council.
Georgia Tenney wanted to let everyone know about the community free meals that will happen on the first Tuesday and the third Thursday of the next couple of months. These meals will happen at the Catholic Church Hall and the Presbyterian Church. This Thursday, they will be making chili, which will "go good with the snow," according to Tenney.
“Every month there’s a free meal,” stated Tenney.
She also gave an update on the Washington Township food pantry, and how busy they have been lately. She stated that she is “tickled to death” about all the donations they have received from the county.
“I wish more people knew how to cook beans,” stated Tenney. “But we’re OK in Pierceton. People seem to care.”
Hall stated his amazement and appreciation with the Christmas lights that decorated the town this season. He remarked at how beautiful it was, and that he is glad that the town is still full of people to share it with.
Town Marshal Phillip Hawks stated that he was settling in and asked council to help with updating the Pierceton Police Department's standard operating procedures, as many of them were out of date. Council Vice President Matt Brubaker agreed to help.
Hawks also asked for council to approve him seeking outside funding for updated bulletproof vests, which was agreed on.
Council member Chauncey Smith also agreed to help with updating the ordinance on ATV, UTV and golf carts to make it a more enforceable measure.
Hawks informed the council that Dustin Baker is at the law enforcement academy and will graduate in March. Hawks is also looking at restarting the reserve police program in Pierceton.
“We’ve had several complaints about Pierceton Woods,” stated Hawks. “If the community would like to email me about their grievances with it, the more I have the better.”
Hawks stated that he knows that it is an issue and wants to see it resolved.
The last item on Hawks' agenda was the vehicle situation with the department. The council agreed to canceling the new Ford that has not made it to the assembly line yet and instead will buy a used police vehicle that will need to be outfitted with new lights. Hawks estimated it would save the town roughly $20,000 to buy the used vehicle.
Boggs told the council that the utilities department will be working on water audits and will be trying to get them done.
The department will also be working on the wells near the ball field and checking to make sure they are still up to date.
Noah Shepherd will celebrate his 15 years of employment with the town, and Hall asks that all residents congratulate Shepherd on this accomplishment. Brubaker asked if there were any types of pins or other milestone achievement they could give Shepherd, to which Boggs stated he would look into it.
Hall also asked Boggs to have an update on the water meter replacement by the end of the first quarter.
Clerk-Treasurer Myra Mast told the council that they amended the salaries for several town employees, as either the salary amount or the dates were incorrect. Hall stated that all salary ordinances for the town are public record, and if anyone would like to see them to contact Mast.
Mast stated that the clerk’s office will be working with a new billing and accounting software. Frey Software will allow for residents to pay their bills online, and see their accounts from home.
“Please be patient with us as we learn this new system,” Mast said.
Mast also encouraged everyone to sign up for REACH Alerts to stay up to date with what’s happening in the town.
A decision on potentially suspending the Pierceton Parks and Recreation Board has also been tabled until the council has more time to talk about whether there is enough interest or not.
The next council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10.
