PIERCETON — A public hearing for the town of Pierceton's future sidewalk project was held prior to a regular council meeting on Monday.
Donny Ritsema, senior community development planner with the Michiana Area Council of Governments, provided information during the hearing about the project, including cost and funding aspects.
The town is seeking a Community Development Block Grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to provide some of the funding for the construction of a 6-foot-wide sidewalk. According to Ritsema, the sidewalk will be constructed on School Street to Third Street, and then on Third Street from School Street to Catholic Street.
The project will cost $422,641, and Pierceton is seeking $270,641 from OCRA for the project. Ritsema said there's a certain percentage of funds the council can seek from OCRA for funding, but it cannot be 100%.
The remainder of the project will be funded through monies Pierceton received through the American Rescue Plan Act, which is about $152,000.
Income surveys from residents showed the town proved the sidewalk improvement project will benefit a majority of people deemed lower to moderate income.
During an October council meeting, the town approved a professional services agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink, an engineering and architecture firm, for the project.
In other business, the town heard from Surf Internet representatives about the possibility of offering high-speed fiber internet service to Pierceton residents.
Locally, Surf Internet is contracted to provide service to Whitko Community Schools. Columbia City is the closest community to Pierceton which has Surf Internet service.
The representatives introduced themselves to the community and provided information about their services. Council President Matt Brubaker expressed concern about Surf, saying he felt the company was marketing themselves to the residents as having council's approval to start establishing service there when that is not the case.
Brubaker said Comcast has already dug lines in the town's right-of-ways and was concerned about having more equipment for the town employees to work around.
Council tabled further discussions on allowing Surf Internet to build infrastructure in Pierceton to allow the town more time to look at information and also see how the service has worked in nearby communities.
The K21 Health Foundation's grant to the town for improvements at Pierceton-Washington Township Park has also been officially approved. In 2019, K21 granted towns in Kosciusko County up to $200,000 to use for health and wellness measures.
Council voted to open the bidding process for redoing the park's tennis courts and adding space for pickleball.
Stephanie Campbell, the leader of Pierceton's Christmas committee, gave an update on "Christmas in Pierceton," which is taking place on Dec. 2. There will be a parade and park lighting ceremony, with parade line-up starting at 5:30 p.m. at Pierceton Elementary School. The parade will then travel north on Ind. 13 at 6 p.m.
Following the parade, there will be cookies and hot chocolate at Brower Park, where the Christmas lights will be turned on. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance.
Anyone who would like to donate cookies to the event can contact Campbell.
That same day, Harvest Community Church will be hosting a craft bazaar and bake sale beginning at 8 a.m. The 14th annual Heritage Gathering Primitive Show will also take place that day at Pierceton Elementary.
Council also:
• Approved placing a 2013 vehicle from the Pierceton Police Department for sale.
• Heard from Town Superintendent Casey Boggs about quotes for security camera systems. No quote was approved at the meeting.
• Learned leaf pickup will conclude the week of Nov. 27. However, if leaves are bagged after that date, they can still be picked up. Those who live north of Catholic Street for Nov. 23 leaf pickup are asked to place leaves out before 8 a.m. Nov. 22.
• Learned Alex Hall, Kosciusko County Community Foundation vice president of programs, will have pop-up office hours at the Pierceton Community Building from 9-11 a.m. Dec. 7 for nonprofits.
Council's next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11, at the Pierceton Community Building.