PIERCETON — Jim Walmer has been the Pierceton town attorney since 1980, but at the Jan. 9 meeting the Pierceton Town Council approved a proposal from Tammy Keirn, Miner & Lemon, LLP, to become the council’s legal counsel.

“It makes sense,” commented Walmer regarding the council’s decision to potentially hire new counsel, “she [Keirn] lives here.” Showing no hurt feelings, Walmer reassured the board that it is just a decision they had to make.

After the council approved Keirn’s proposal, they thanked Walmer for his years of service. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the board. It’s been 36 years,” stated Walmer.

Before the news, Walmer brought forward Economic Development Corporation members who needed to be reappointed. Dennis Castle was reappointed by the board, with Matthew Garcia receiving a referral from the Pierceton council to later be reappointed by Kosciusko County Council to the EDC board.

Also being reappointed in their position is Tom Barker as council president. Barker insisted on a vice president nomination which was given to Matt Brubaker.

Town Marshal Tim Sammons was given the go ahead to further look into getting the police department body cams. Mike Martin, an administrator with Lifeline, has offered to donate a computer to designate to storing the data. Sammons will be putting in an application to the prosecuting attorney’s office for funding and talking to other agencies which use body cams to review their standard operating procedure.

A concern presented by the board was the chance of footage getting accidentally erased. Sammons insisted that only personnel with administrator status could delete data. The board acknowledged that unforeseen “glitches” can occur and decided to move forward.

In other business:

• President Barker wanted to make people aware of the NIPSCO facility on Pequignot Drive. The large facility on the north side of Pequignot Drive is currently being used as a temporary storage area as NIPSCO does extensive upgrading. “There are things you may see one day and it will be gone the next,” stated Barker.
• The next standard meeting is Feb. 13.