Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Nine property owners wait in the wings for the next production of the owner/occupied housing rehabilitation program.
After a slow start, a $200,000 grant for property upgrades has taken off like a successful run on Broadway. With a change in Housing Opportunities of Warsaw Inc. managers, word-of-mouth advertising and one rehabilitated home after another, the town council decided Monday to reapply for another grant, if matching funds are made available.
Pam Kennedy appeared before the board Monday with three rehabilitation applications.
"Of the three applications, we can do two more houses on this grant," Kennedy said. Five thousand dollars remains in grant funds.
Kennedy replaced Jake Murray as HOW Housing Programs Manager, the agency administering the Indiana Housing Financing grant.
Councilman Terry Hill said he is reluctant to solicit businesses, who provided a portion of matching funds, again.
Kennedy was given permission to make matching fund appeals to the K21 Foundation in August and the Kosciusko County Foundation in October.
She reminded the board that services, such as the fire department providing and installing smoke detectors, could be used to meet the $20,000 matching fund goal.
Pierceton Senior Citizens Club officers appeared before the board with an agreement outlining their responsibilities at the Senior Center and the town's obligations.
A no smoking - no alcoholic beverage policy will be in effect.
Fire Department Chief Gordon Baker reported a fish and tenderloin fry will be April 28 from 4 p.m. until sold out.
He requested that the department sponsor a water ball tournament during Pierceton Days in August, which was approved, commenting that the event will draw many other departments to participate.
Gordon said the severe storm warning will be three one-minute siren blasts and the all-clear signal will be one three-minute blast.
Fire department officers are: Merritt Hyndman, assistant chief; Tim Maloy, captain; Gene Burket, first lieutenant; and Jerry Kreger Sr., second lieutenant.
Currently the department has 25 members and is accepting applications for volunteer firemen.
Scout Troop #761 attended the meeting to earn their citizenship badges.
Town council members are Jerry Kreger, Ron Hall and Terry Hill. The board meets the second Monday of each month in town hall.
