PIERCETON – Town council members gave clerk-treasurer Janet Castle the nod to pursue a possible utility rate increase, in accordance with a rate study performed by Umbaugh & Associates last year. Councilmen Mandy Espinoza and Ron Hall voted for Castle to take a look at increasing rates; Jim Bumbaugh voted against the possible hike. “It’s not tied to any project or bond payment,” Castle said after the meeting. “It’s for day-to-day operations and long-term projects. I’m just going to start the process and make a recommendation.” Residents pay $50.60 per month for water, sewer and trash pick up; $9 of that amount is for trash service. Umbaugh recommended a raise to $59.48, which the council may or may not approve and which could be established in several increments. Bumbaugh said he was opposed to any kind of rate increase, but if it had to be done he preferred it be spread out over three years. Rate increases would be advertised in public notices and not be approved prior to a public hearing. Town marshal Tim Sammons said he recently passed qualifications for handgun, shot gun and rifle. Officers Jim Bumbaugh and Matt Owens will take the testing, per state regulations, soon. Sammons said reserve officer Justin Smith has been hired full time at the Kosciusko County jail and must end his position with the town. Reserve officer Tiffany Fulk has indicated she may be moving out of the area soon, and Sammons asked for permission to take applications for the two reserve officer openings, which was approved. Sammons said he thought the recent Pierceton Days festival went well and that he heard a lot of positive comments about the event. A letter of agreement was sent from the county election board advising the town costs for the town election next year will be about $1,000, which the council acknowledged. Town manager Chip Hill said one bid was returned on the sewer pipe lining project and it came in too high. The estimated cost was $537,000 and the bid was $651,000, which the council rejected. Hill recommended rebidding the job to line all the pipes in town at a cost of about $1.2 million to $1.4 million. He expects more companies to bid for the larger project. The next meeting is Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
