PIERCETON — Pierceton is continuing to work on cleaning up properties which don't meet town ordinance standards.
That was the information given to resident Annie Espinoza when she inquired about it at the Pierceton Town Council's meeting on Monda.
Espinoza noted a junk plane has been at her neighbor's property for about six months, with junk vehicles also being a problem.
Town Marshal Jim Bumbaugh said he was to work on tagging vehicles soon, meaning property owners would have to properly register them or get rid of them. Town attorney Tammy Keirn reminded Espinoza she could let the town know about properties Pierceton wasn't already working to address.
Senior Center Request
The council also heard a request from Pierceton Chamber of Commerce President Kelsea DeGaetano regarding utilizing restrooms at the Pierceton Senior Center during events like Pierceton Days at Brower Park.
The chamber's been renting portable restrooms for such events, which is costly, she said.
"The chamber would honestly rather pay a fee to use or a fee to have (the senior center restrooms) cleaned or whatever that would look like for the use of that where then we're actually providing a real restroom for people visiting," said DeGaetano.
She said Town Superintendent Casey Boggs had determined the restrooms could be closed off from the rest of the center for events.
Town Council member Tom Barker said he wasn't opposed to it as long as the chamber helped with the center in some way. Council Vice President Janet Castle said she had reservations. Those included not being sure someone would maintain the restrooms during the events.
DeGaetano said she could get volunteers to take out trash during the events.
The council ultimately opted to table the matter for further discussion.
Community Crossings
The council also heard from Town Clerk-Treasurer Myra Mast the town is accepting bids for repaving streets in town using its Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings Matching Grant money and putting in a pickleball court. Bids will be accepted through 5 p.m. July 10, with them to be opened at the council's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. that day at the Pierceton Community Building.
The following streets should be worked on: West Wayne Street from First Street to Arnolt Drive; Village Street from Church Street to South End; Church Street from Maple Street to Village Street; Tulip Street, also known as North Street, from First Street to West End; and West Pine Street, also known as Church Avenue, from First Street to Seventh Street.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from Boggs long grass violations are being worked on. A man hired by the town is cutting grass at properties which are in violation, with his bills then going to the town. Those charges are then added to the respective property owners' tax bills.
• Heard a reminder from Mast the town's annual cleanup day is Saturday. Items which should not be put out are tires, wet paint and hazardous materials.
• Heard from Bumbaugh the police department's new SUV should arrive in July. He said he was to work to auction off the department's old Ford Fusion.
• Heard from Bumbaugh that officer James Hastings is taking ALICE active shooter training this week, with Whitko Community Schools paying for part of the cost. Hastings will then be able to train school employees.
• Heard from Pierceton Park Board Secretary Annie Espinoza the board is to give a presentation before the town council regarding using grant money the town received from the K21 Health Foundation on park projects. That will be at a special public meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the Pierceton Community Building. The council also will make some decisions related to its participation in the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs' Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program at that meeting. Pierceton is gaining assistance with spending its American Rescue Plan Act funds received from the federal government through HELP.
