PIERCETON - The Pierceton Town Council decided to give town employees raises.
After some discussion on whether to give employees flat-rate raises or merit-based raises, the street and utilities department received a 4-percent raise while the police department received a 2-percent raise with town marshal Tim Sammons getting a 3-percent raise.
The council also voted to make Jerry Kreger the council president for 2011. Jerry Hartman served as council president in 2010. Town board member Mandy Espinoza made the motion to make Kreger president.
A lengthy discussion was held about how the new park board would function.
This month, the council finalized a deal that would put parks in Washington Township under the control of Pierceton rather than the township.
Board members discussed who might serve well on the board, and set their first meeting of 2011 to sit down with town attorney Jim Walmer to discuss what requirements the board needs to fill.
One requirement for the board is that a school board member sits on it.
The town council signed a resolution giving clerk-treasurer Janet Castle permission to pay bills up until the next council meeting.
Contracts also were signed with Pierceton's volunteer fire department as well as Walmer.
Walmer's rate will remain the same as it was in 2010.
Castle also was given permission to transfer funds to make sure 2010 ended with a balanced budget.
The council will hold its first meeting of 2011 Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the town building.
