Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Although the weather hasn't seemed very springlike recently, it's the time of year when thoughts turn to cleaning things up.
The Pierceton Town Council received information on two proposed projects Monday night, and both are under consideration.
The Rev. H. Jordan Truman, pastor of Pierceton Presbyterian Church, asked the town's blessing for area youth to participate in a "clean-athon." The idea came from the church's junior high youth group, Teens Gathered in Fellowship (TGIF) as a way to raise money for their organization.
The fund-raiser would be patterned after a walk-athon, with youth going door to door seeking pledges per pounds of trash collected. Truman is hoping the project can be a partnership between the town, local businesses and local youth organizations. The town's part in the project is to make arrangements with its refuse hauler for bins to be placed at a particular location on the day the community would be cleaned up.
Prior to the cleanup day, the youth would go door to door asking permission from residents to be on their property on the chosen day. Adult supervision will be provided. If enough youth groups become involved, Truman said a friendly competition could be waged, with prizes awarded to those who collect the most refuse.
The matter was tabled for review, but council president Ron Hall ended the discussion on a positive note: "I think it's gonna be a go ... it looks real good."
Another cleanup proposal was presented by Bob Murphy of Murphy & Associates, Larwill. He told the council that the Indiana Department of Commerce has announced that the town will receive up to $28,000, with a local match of up to $3,200, for a planning grant for cleaning up a property in town where gas tanks are buried.
The property is located at Market and First streets and used to be home to a gas station, but is now apparently abandoned. The building there is dilapidated and residents have complained about the dangers that could exist above and below ground.
Murphy left information with the clerk-treasurer for her to mail to at least three companies interested in conducting soil testing there. Bids for the project will be opened at the May meeting, and the DOC grant will be written based on the bids, he said.
After the soil testing is completed, the town will decide whether to go ahead with the cleanup or drop the project, Murphy said, adding that whether the town should proceed would depend upon the proposed cost. "If it's gonna cost $50,000, I would say 'Go for it,' " Murphy said, "but if it comes in at a million, I'd say, 'Drop it, the town can't afford it.' "
The next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. May 12 in the community building.
