Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Two for less than the price of one is the deal worked out for the Pierceton Police Department.
Rather than replacing Travis Marsh - who recently resigned to take a position at Syracuse - with a full-time officer, the Pierceton Town Council opted Monday to hire two men on a part-time basis who will work on the full-time deputies' days off.
The part-time status will save the town from paying benefits, and all training costs are covered because both men are already full-time officers for other police agencies.
Steve Espinoza of the Winona Lake Police Department and Brian Hupp of the Warsaw Police Department will be put on the schedule beginning in April. The town council will review the set-up after 90 days before deciding whether to continue it.
Marshal George Alexander pointed out that both officers are already academy trained, which is another savings to the town. The officers will be paid $9 per hour.
In other business, the council appointed Alexander and Brad Bailey to appraise the property at Arnolt Industrial Park. The town employees are familiar with the land values in the area and the council believes a fair market value will be attained.
Town attorney Jim Walmer told the council that having the land appraised is allowed via a state statute, which he says not only simplifies the sales process in the event that the town gets a buyer for land in the industrial park, but also eliminates a third-party intermediary in the negotiating process.
The town is permitted to sell real estate not acquired through imminent domain (without tax dollars) for land-use projects or economic development projects. The property that comprises Arnolt Industrial Park was donated to the town.
In a related matter, the town issued the go-ahead for Walmer to get paperwork together to continue recognizing the industrial park as an economic revitalization area. The 10-year distinction as such expires at the end of this year, but the town would like to see the area still be zoned an ERA.
The process will be redone, but no expiration time will be noted because it is not known when the industrial park might be developed. Keeping the area an ERA will allow the town to offer tax abatement as an incentive to industry coming into the area.
In other matters, the council:
• Approved a zoning request for Dana Cone allowing a change from agricultural to residential on a 7.92-acre tract of land located east of Ind. 13 and south of Church Street. A housing development proposed for that site would potentially provide 27 to 29 lots.
• Learned from Alexander that the town was awarded a state grant for an in-car video camera and a new radar unit for the police deparment. The grant will pay for 75 percent of the cost of the equipment.
• Set the first-quarter employee meeting for March 26.
The next regular meeting is at 7:30 p.m. April 14 in the community building.
