PIERCETON - Principal Financial insurance agent John Clay presented a health care savings account concept to the town council Monday, as a way for employees to save money for deductible medical expenses and future medical costs.

Clay said these savings accounts are limited to $2,500 per year and if the funds are not spent, they remain in the account for future use.

Clay advised the board a 13 percent increase in employee health insurance is expected. The town provides a high deductible plan with the first $300 in medical costs paid by the employee and up to $900 for a family policy. None of the town council members are on the policy.

The council set an employee insurance meeting for Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. to explain the proposed program.

Jeff Carroll, who owns the apartment building at 305 S. First St., asked the town to repair the alley behind the building. He said removal of asphalt resulted in a 6-inch drop off.

He said the problem doesn't look good and it's not safe. The drop-off has resulted in one tenant's exhaust system being ripped off her car.

"I told her the town should pay for repairs," he said. "But she's too shy to ask."

Carroll said he called four or five times about the problem. "What's really troubling is your street superintendent hasn't called me back."

Town council member Terry Hill said the street department would take care of the problem.

Chris Sanders of Banzai Racing on Catholic Street advised the board he would have a customer appreciation dinner Oct. 23.

"I'll have 30 to 40 cars coming in that day," Sanders said, and asked if Catholic Street could be closed from the alley to Washington Street from noon to 5 p.m., which was approved.

Council president Jerry Kreger publicly apologized to the American Legion Menzie-Reece Post 258 for omitting them from the list of organizations to thank for the successful "There's No Place Like Home" fund-raiser. The event was Sept. 11.

The council also:

• Reviewed the fire hydrant inspection report presented by fire chief Gordon Baker.

Baker said he advertised rescue truck bids for 30 days online and received no replies. He asked to advertise the vehicle locally, which was approved.

First responder class will end in two weeks, Baker said, and the department will have 12 first responders on the department then.

A grant was received from the K21 Foundation to purchase 15 hand-held radios.

He said the fire department personnel are available to patrol the streets during trick-or-treat hours, Oct. 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Board member Bob Tenney said the Lions Club is sponsoring a Halloween event in the Pierceton Elementary School's big gym at 6 p.m. Oct. 29.

• Town Marshal Tim Sammons said the Tobacco Coalition provided a $1,700 grant to purchase a IDLogSC 100, which scans identification. It will hold up to 1 million IDs or driver's licenses. Sammons said it will help take information faster during accidents.

The police department is developing a six-part safety and general information series for senior citizens.

Sammons said police officer Terry Cahill is finishing firearms training at the state academy and will return to town at the end of the month to finish training locally.

Because bicycles and skateboards are not allowed on downtown sidewalks, the department has confiscated several. They will be released back to parents.

• Approved Chuck See's request to install a flagpole to fly an American flag. See is president of the Pierceton emergency medical service board.

Town council members are Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Bob Tenney. [[In-content Ad]]