Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - A $500,000 Community Focus Fund grant has been approved for the town, council president Jerry Kreger announced Monday.
The funding will go toward improvements at the wastewater treatment plant. During a community meeting in March, citizens learned the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has mandated a zero infiltration policy, meaning no untreated sewage is to enter Deeds Creek from the facility. Deeds Creek flows into Pike Lake.
A lot of storm water enters the current system and within an hour of heavy rain, sewage overflows into the creek.
Improvements are estimated to cost between $1.2 million and $1.7 million to construct two holding tanks. Funds for construction will come from tax increment financing funds, county economic development income taxes, the sewer improvement fund and the CFF grant provided by the Indiana Department of Commerce for about $500,000. This funding still leaves the town about $300,000 short, and a bond issue will be sought.
Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, applied for the grant on behalf of the council. The money will be officially accepted in Indianapolis June 22.
In addition to Pierceton, the town wastewater treatment plant treats sewage from Larwill and Regency Pointe Estates.
Town marshal Tim Sammons fielded questions about the police department's practice of ticketing "junk" or abandoned vehicles. Sammons said 46 vehicles were tagged and owners have 10 days to respond to the citations. If the vehicles apparently haven't moved for 15 days, a citation will result. According to a new town ordinance, it does not matter if the vehicle is properly licensed and insured. It also must be road worthy. The only exception to the ordinance is a vehicle belonging to an active member of the military service.
Several citizens questioned this policy. One man said he drove his recently tagged car more than 450 miles last month, reparking it on a gravel pad.
"What am I supposed to do, call somebody and let them see me driving it?" he asked.
A woman said she maintains an "old beater" just for hauling purposes and won't be moving it every two weeks.
Another woman said she lives in Florida during the winter and doesn't drive her Indiana cars for months in the winter.
Kreger advised the first two people to have the police get an odometer reading, which they can check again in two weeks. He advised the "snowbird" to let the police know when she was gone.
Pierceton Days (Aug. 6 and 7) organizer Kim Rose gave an update about the festival, suggesting that the council get a tug-of-war team together. She did not receive an agreement from the members.
Rose said Doris Kubacki will be grand marshal for the parade. Un-finished Business is set to perform a free concert in the park Friday night, with Random Play and Sirface to playing Saturday night in the park.
Annie Espinoza of the Pierceton, Washington, Monroe EMS, said a help-wanted advertisement resulted in a wonderful response to the department's call for volunteer EMTs. Espinoza said a call for volunteer drivers will go out soon.
She said Georgia Tenney was named EMT of the year at the Kosciusko County EMS award ceremony. Chuck See was recognized as a heart-saver. Heart-savers tend to someone having a heart attack, who is treated at the hospital and then returns home.
"We have someone recognized each year on the county level," Espinoza said. She also reminded the board the department is self-sufficient, that they own themselves.
Espinoza said the EMS board will present the town board a budget for their review.
David Taylor of the Blue Lion Coffeehouse represented the Pierceton Community Merchants Association and said the association's next meeting is Thursday at 5 p.m.
Taylor came with several suggestions for the board to consider: that a street vendor ordinance be drafted so artisans or musicians could set up downtown on weekends; that a ruling regarding where skateboarders are allowed be approved; and that leftover sidewalk improvement funds be made available to commercial properties.
He said the merchants' meetings are open to the public.
The board also:
• Hear from Sammons that 92 students "graduated" from the DARE program at Pierceton Elementary School.
The town marshal presented new polo shirts department members will wear during Pierceton days. They are black with reflective gray lettering spelling "Police" on the back and a gray badge on the front.
He said the department made 366 service calls in May and worked 596 hours.
Reserve officers Tiffany Fulk and Nathan Rhoades are participating in field training, riding with a senior officer before going solo in a squad car.
• Heard from fire chief Gordon Baker that Engine 6 has been repaired and returned. He said the portion of fire hose causing a problem was removed and will be replaced.
A new rescue engine will arrive the week of June 24 and the "old" truck will be advertised for bids.
• The Indiana Fireworks Users Association and the fire department will host the annual safe site in the Pierceton-Washington Community Park July 3 and 4 from 9 to 11 p.m.
Gordon said the department's tug-of-war team welcomes any and all challengers to the Aug. 7 competition.
Town council members are Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Bob Tenney.
