Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON – Pierceton Town Council heard from Zach Dripps, director of operations and community development with the Michiana Area Council of Governments; and Randy Allen, a senior account executive from VC3, during their meeting Tuesday.
Dripps talked with the council about the Community Amenities Program (CAP). CAP was established through the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI) and is managed by the K21 Health Foundation. The goal of CAP is to help smaller communities in Kosciusko County to add a new amenity or expand on existing amenities.
“I’m here to ask for the board’s approval to give Myra the ability to submit a letter of interest,” stated Dripps. “The fund is up to $500,000 for each town in the county and is a 50% match.”
Dripps stated that this would help get to the town’s main goal of connectivity. After a survey was done involving residents, the council noticed that having a walkway to the local Dollar General was at the top of the survey list.
“The proposed project would be to connect Church Street, down to the Dollar General on First Street,” stated Dripps. “Then it would be to connect Catholic Street to Third Street where it ends.”
Town Council President Glenn Hall stated that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) had already green-lit a “marked crosswalk from the library corner to the other side of the street.”
Dripps also stated that there were talks of extending the sidewalk down to Brower Park, but with the work that will be done in the near future, that will be waited on.
It was approved to have Mast work on the letter of intent with Dripps. Dripps also stated that there are grants to help fund the match that he will work with Mast and the council on.
Allen gave a presentation on VC3, which is a managed IT and cybersecurity service provider that helps municipalities and businesses. Allen stated that VC3 is a nationally recognized company and is also Criminal Justice Information Services-compliant. He stated that the company has a 24/7 customer service line, and technicians will be out in a matter of hours, not days to help with any service issues the town may be facing.
“We’re here to serve the town’s interest,” stated Allen.
VC3 would allow for members of the town who use this service to be protected, along with keeping important documentation protected.
Altogether, the cost of having VC3’s services will cost $1,836.30, along with a one-time onboarding fee of $2,000. Town Council Vice President Matt Brubaker asked if they would be charged per log-in, or if it was by user on the system, to which Allen responded that the cost is based on the number of users, and if a user was to no longer be a part of the town, that cost would fall off.
The council approved moving forward with VC3.
Town Superintendent Casey Boggs let the council know about the utilities department looking into a new metal detector, which will help with more problematic areas in the town. Boggs will let the council know more next month about a quote.
The wastewater permit renewal expires Feb. 28, 2027, and Boggs let the council know that the application for that permit has to be in 180 days prior.
Town Marshal Phillip Hawks updated the council on challenges they are having with the Charger squad car, and that they are currently in line to have the new vehicle outfitted. He also let the council know that Dustin Baker will be graduating from the academy on March 12.
Hawks will let the council know next month on new ordinances, along with the four new reserve officers.
In other news:
• Mast received approval from the council on attending the ILMCT Institute & Academy March 8-12, with the classes that she wants to attend costing $375 and the room costing $180 per night.
• Terry Sell asked to have the motorcycle show at Brower Park on May 17, which was approved.
• Alex Hall, with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, met with Mast to go over two projects: the sidewalk and the pavilion restroom projects. Hall let Mast know about a grant for $20,000 that will help fund the pavilion restroom project, and that the application is due this Sunday, Feb. 15. This was approved.
• The stormwater study was approved to move forward by the council.
• The South Whitley Youth League has invited Pierceton town members to play ball with them. The Pierceton Youth League does not have enough members on the board, and the SWYL would love to have more people on their board. Everything will be taken care of by the SWYL, but they are looking for people to take care of concessions.
• A Matter of Balance is a free class through the YMCA that will be available for town members over the age of 60, and there is a 15-member limit on the classes. The classes will run Feb. 20 through April 17 on Fridays. Those interested will have to attend the first two sessions.
• The monthly expenditures for the period totaled $150,800.08.
• The next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10.
