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PIERCETON — If people in Pierceton or the surrounding area get surveys in the near future asking about their income, they should fill them out and mail them in.
That was a message of the Pierceton Town Council at its regular meeting on Monday.
The surveys are needed as part of Pierceton's participation in the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs' (OCRA) Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP)
The state created HELP to assist local governments with spending their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from the federal government on projects to better their communities in four specific areas: advancing e-connectivity; enhancing quality of place; promoting community wellness; and strengthening local economies. Kosciusko County was selected to participate, and county representatives invited any of the county’s cities and towns to take part as well, with Pierceton being one of the towns to join.
Pierceton wants to use monies to improve sidewalks in town and do a utility study. The state is to provide special funding to add to Pierceton’s funds if the town can prove the projects benefit a majority of people deemed lower to moderate income, thus where the surveys come in.
There will be two rounds of surveys coming out, both from the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), which will go to randomly selected people. The one linked to the utility study should go out to some people outside the area of Pierceton as the town's water utility serves a section greater than the physical town.
Council President Matt Brubaker said the town hopes to work on sidewalks along Third and School streets.
In other business, the council:
• Heard a quick update from Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. CEO Alan Tio regarding initiatives the entity is able to help Pierceton and the other communities in the county it serves with. Those include allowing businesses to sell items through a space KEDCO will provide in downtown Warsaw and helping company recruiters tour the area to assist with drawing employees to Kosciusko County businesses.
• Approved an ordinance putting in a four-way stop at Seventh and School streets.
• Agreed to have a special hearing with the business Pierceton 23 LLC at 10 a.m. Sept. 12 regarding the company's noncompliance with a tax abatement.
• Heard from Town Marshal Jim Bumbaugh the police department's new vehicle is being outfitted. He also reported that Pierceton Days went well and Pierceton Elementary School no longer has a crossing guard at First and Church streets.
• Heard from a resident he's trying to restart the town's Lions Club. If people want more information, they should inquire at the town office.
The council's next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Pierceton Community Building.
