NORTH MANCHESTER - After retiring at the end of December, North Manchester Building and Plan Commission Director Bernie Ferringer has found himself back on the job.

Ferringer announced to council members in November his plans to retire at the end of the year.

Since then, town manager Dan Hannaford introduced to council members Ferringer's replacement, Jack Ferguson.

Ferguson has been working with Ferringer and council members to get acquainted with the town and his new duties as plan director.

But at Thursday's council meeting, Hannaford announced that Ferguson has resigned after only three days in his new position, citing "personal reasons."

"I talked to Bernie (Ferringer). I think we're able to keep Bernie on for a while," Hannaford said Thursday. "I was really sorry to see him (Ferguson) go. He has a real wealth of knowledge."

Ferringer owns North Manchester Greenhouse and planned to spend more time at his business. The town is looking at hiring a part-time person to conduct building inspections to lessen the load on Ferringer. Hannaford said Thursday the town is looking for a replacement and soon will go through the application and interview process to fill the position.

In other business:

• Robert Woods, working with The Greg Thomas Corp., asked that a parcel of land at 300 S. River Road, North Manchester, be rezoned from R-1 to R-4 "in hopes to put a duplex in across from the school (Manchester Elementary)."

Woods owns the parcel and said in the past several trailers occupied the area. Currently, the parcel is empty - only grass. Property adjacent to the parcel is already zoned R-4 (multifamily), Woods said.

Council members approved the request on a first reading Thursday.

"This has gone through planning (and) has passed," council president Don Rinearson said.

The Manchester planners approved the request at a plan commission meeting Jan. 22.

• Hannaford said a new "Welcome to North Manchester" sign will be up "next week or so."

The sign will be across from Ace Hardware.

• Council members have been discussing the possibility of adding a police dog to the North Manchester Police Department.

Jack Fetrow, public safety director, told council members Thursday, that a dog was found to purchase but, when it was taken to the vet Thursday, a problem was found.

Fetrow said the dog had problems with one of its joints so they had to send it back and stop the payment. He said he expects to find a replacement today or Monday.

• The next town council meeting is set for March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the public safety building, Main Street.

The North Manchester Town Council includes: president Don Rinearson, vice president Stan Escott, Karl Merritt, Warren Garner, Charles Tiede and Bill Hix. Clerk-treasurer is Nancy Reed. Town manager is Dan Hannaford. Public works superintendent is John Mugford. Public safety director is Jack Fetrow. [[In-content Ad]]