PIERCETON - A revision of the handicapped parking ordinance will allow police to enforce it, ticketing able-bodied motorists who park in violation.

Wording in the ordinance previously on the books didn't allow the Pierceton police to ticket violators. Passage of the revised ordinance Monday by the Pierceton Town Council gives police authority to ticket drivers illegally parked at any public handicapped space.

Also, the council approved relocating one of the handicapped spaces in town that was on an incline. Wheelchair-bound people were having trouble negotiating from their vehicles in the space at the community building. It is now on the west side of the building.

In other business, the council will review ordinances pertaining to loitering and curfew violations. Marshal George Alexander submitted the proposed ordinances, which are identical to those used in Warsaw.

"I'm real tired of the kids laughing in our face and not being able to do anything about it," Alexander told the council. "(The ordinances) will allow us to do something."

Among the provisions of the ordinance are fines that hold parents responsible if their child is on the street past curfew. A first-time violation would cost parents $25 and second time or more $50; however, parents can give permission for their child to work off the fine at $5 per hour doing work for the town.

Curfew hours are 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for juveniles ages 15 through 17 and 11 p.m. nightly for juveniles under age 15.

The council also will review bids received for soil testing at the property at Market and First streets. That location used to be home to a gas station and tanks are still buried there. The property has been abandoned and residents are complaining about its condition. The town has an opportunity to receive grant money from the Indiana Department of Commerce to clean up the land.

The bids will be addressed at the June meeting.

In other matters, the council:

• Approved rezoning of a location on West Market Street from public use to commercial. Mr. and Mrs. David Taylor are planning to open a restaurant at the site of the old UTS building.

• Gave the go-ahead for the cleanup program proposed last month by the Rev. H. Jordan Truman, pastor of Pierceton Presbyterian Church. The event, which is a fund-raiser for the church's junior high youth group, is set for July 19 (rain date July 26.).

• Tabled a request from Alexander to upgrade street lights in the business district. Currently, there are 150-watt bulbs in the lamps, and Alexander would like to see 250-watt or 400-watt lighting through that area. Council members would like to review costs before making a decision.

The next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. June 9 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]