PIERCETON — The town of Pierceton's 2025 budget was adopted Monday evening by the council, following no additional comments.
The budget totals $1,588,620, with an adopted tax levy of $329,605 and a tax rate of $0.6263.
During the board's regular meeting, Casey Boggs, utilities director, announced leaf pick up will begin Monday, Oct. 21, and follow the same schedule as last year. Pick-up on Mondays will be the area south of Catholic Street and west of First Street. Wednesday's schedule will be south of Catholic Street and east of First street and Thursdays will be north of Catholic Street.
Residents are reminded to have the leaves at the curb before 8 a.m. with all brush and trash kept separate and the piles kept away from utility poles, signs and mail boxes. He noted leaf pick-up on Nov. 11 will be moved to Nov. 12.
Current and upcoming events were announced by Myra Mast, clerk-treasurer. She announced town trick-or-treat hours will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Additionally, OMCO will host a trunk-or-treat night from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26, with free admission and parking that evening from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Pierceton PTO will host a chili supper and bake sale fundraiser in the community room to raise money to replace damaged playground equipment at the school.
“Crows for a Cause” was noted, hosted by the chamber of commerce, to raise funds to replace damaged playground equipment at Pierceton Elementary. Scarecrows are being displayed as a reminder and incentive to donate to the cause.
During department reports, the council was updated on Pierceton Woods. It was noted the organization has paid for officers to be on the property from 6 p.m. to midnight during the last several weeks. It was noted two of the four juveniles believed to have been instigators in the recent issues, have been removed.
Several residents raised questions why the “detainees” were being allowed to roam, why there was no fence, supervision, and notifications not being received by nearby residents when there is a problem.
It was noted that the facility is a treatment center, not a detention center, and the staff are limited in the actions they can take, whereas police officers do not.
Noted was the fact the presence of officers at the facility has made a huge difference and changed perception of officers and the juveniles.
Presentations were given to the council by Ben Logan, executive director for Habitat for Humanity, officials from Brightspeed and SurfNet. Additionally, the council gave their support for officials at Kaleidoscope Event Center to proceed going before the county board of zoning for additional event parking.
During the citizen comments, Greg Chism reported there have been 48 photographs, including one police officer and two firefighters, turned in for the town's veterans flag project and instead of six to eight weeks for the flags to arrive the turn around, is now seven to 10 days.
He stated the goal is to have all the flags up by Veteran's Day in the areas requested by the families. Those still wanting to participate may do so, with information available at the clerk-treasurer's office. The brackets have arrived and will be brought to the town hall to begin installation.
Jim Anderson, 408 S. Second St., brought to the council’s attention the alley was in bad shape, which also brought up discussion if that was actually a street or an alley. It was noted grants are not available for alley work, with Boggs stating he hopes to have some funds available in the future to work on the alleys.
During other business, the council approved two ordinances, transferring $20,000 from the general fund with $10,000 to the rainy day fund, and $10,000 to the unsafe building. The council will also be applying for additional funds the county has available to go toward the Third and School streets sidewalk projects.