PIERCETON - When reports of BB guns fired within town limits were reported to police officers, Town Marshal George Alexander could not find a law to prevent such activity.

He's got one now.

During Monday night's town council meeting Alexander presented an ordinance regarding the discharge of firearms, weapons and airguns within the corporate limits of town. The ordinance was approved, after suspension of hearing rules, by council members Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Ron Hall.

Alexander said his search through town codes shows no laws regarding firearms.

The provisions of the ordinance, which prohibits the discharge of firearms, weapons and airguns, do not apply to any police officer in the line of duty or to any person exercising their lawful right to defend their person and property.

Bow and arrow practice with a regulation target and fishing with a bow and arrow are allowed.

Penalties for failure to comply with the provision are fines of not less than $25 or more than $100 for each violation, plus attorney's fees.

Council members also approved a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Elm and Washington streets.

Fire Chief Gene Burkett introduced Bobby Prater of Prater's Locks, Nappanee, who presented a keyless security device to the board.

Locks and keys to the city garage have not been changed since the building was built, and the council has entertained security system estimates from several companies the last two months.

Items of minor value have gone missing from the facility over the years and no accurate list has been kept of key holders.

The device Prater demonstrated can be mounted on an interior wall and triggered with a transponder from the outside. Prater said the system records the last 150 building entrances. If a "key" is lost a replacement key can be issued with a new recognition code, rendering the lost key inoperable.

The council took the presentation under advisement, saying it was interested in the product.

Clerk Janet Castle said an invoice from D&L Communications, Fort Wayne, was expected soon and a security system could be purchased with remaining funds, if any.

Earlier this year a lightning strike knocked out the town's communications system and other electronics. Insurance paid for repairs and equipment replacement.

Burkett reported the security lights outside the garage are being replaced.

Brad Bailey, utilities superintendent, said three street lights for the industrial park entrances are on order at a cost of $280.

Bailey said the street department is ready for this fall's leaf collection.

Hill said he heard from residents on Wayne Street regarding traffic around shift change time. The residents say workers leaving the industrial park are speeding.

Alexander said he doubted anyone was going over 10 mph through the curve and 30 mph speed signs have been posted.

Wayne Street residents are neighbors to the industrial park. Prior to the site's development they lived on a dead-end street without significant traffic.

Town attorney Jim Walmer discussed an order received from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regarding a $1,000 fine to be paid by the town for violations at the sewage treatment facility and the sanitary septic system's infrastructure problems.

The town is required to file weekly reports showing a continuing effort to meet IDEM's requirements and to correct areas of noncompliance.

Paul Pletcher approached the board about cars parked in the park pavilion building. He said he approached the youths and asked them to move and they did.

Alexander said his department will keep an eye out for such offenses. [[In-content Ad]]