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PIERCETON - The Pierceton town council echoed the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission's approval of the First Baptist Church's plan to develop the old train depot into a youth center.
The APC approved rezoning the Market Street property from Industrial 2 to Commercial. The county board is a recommending board to town councils on issues of rezoning.
The church plans to move its programs for youth into the remodeled building first, then open it up to the youth in town as a community resource.
The board approved placement of a stop sign on Walnut Street at the intersection with Third Street, as requested by Jerry A. Kreger, an Elm Street resident. The sign will be erected pending an amendment to the town's sign ordinance.
Kreger, father of board president Jerry Kreger, also advised the council he had been told by the police department to move an old car in front of his house in 14 days or it would be towed. He said that was fine, but he had a problem with the mobile home across the street, which has sat there since January.
He also said a resident of the neighborhood is driving a vehicle with "straight pipes" and every time it goes by "it makes my wife's, your mother's, dishes shake." He asked that something be done about this nuisance.
Kreger advised his father the items would be looked into.
Ray Werstler approached the board to thank them for the new sign for the senior center. Werstler is co-president of the senior club along with Orvil Taylor, who also attended the meeting.
In other business, the board:
• Heard the storm siren is ready, pending a final inspection.
• Heard from fire chief Gordon Baker that Truck No. 4 passed inspection, but the ladders failed at the 300- to 400-pound limit. New ladders have been installed.
Baker said hydrant flushing will occur in September.
The chief said the department is entering a pager refurbishment program at $100 each, instead of buying new ones, which cost between $350 to $400 per unit.
Baker advised the council that Pierceton might be a good place for a helipad, and was advised he would not be getting one. He was referring to the numerous accidents in the township lately that have required the services of a medical helicopter.
• Heard from public works superintendent Brad Bailey that the school crossing light could be installed at the post office, which was approved.
Bailey was asked to prepare a priority list for street work.
Board member Terry Hill asked why so many of the street lights seem "dull." Bailey said he didn't know about the wattage, but he and clerk Janet Castle were investigating why the electrical rates are so different on all the lights.
He also was asked by Hill to keep an eye on the unmowed yard on Wayne Street by the Methodist Church.
• Appointed Bob Tenney to the park board, to serve the remainder of Jeff Bolinger's term. Frank Rhoades was reappointed to the park board.
• Noted Tim Sammons and Mark Wise have joined the police department.
Town council members are Jerry Kreger, Ron Hall and Terry Hill.
