By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — The Pierceton Town Council has approved a professional services agreement with an engineering and architecture firm regarding the town’s future sidewalk project.

Fleis & Vandenbrink Office Manager/Senior Project Manager Chad Salzbrenner presented the agreement during an Oct. 9 council meeting.

“The proposed route would start on Seventh Street…go up to School Street, then run from School Street to 3rd (Street), and then from 3rd to Catholic (Street),” said Salzbrenner.

Recently, the town issued income surveys to residents. The surveys are required as part of Pierceton’s participation in the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. If the town is able to prove its sidewalk improvement project benefits a majority of people deemed lower to moderate income, the state will provide special funding for the work. Depending on the survey’s results, the town could utilize OCRA funds for the project.

A notice to proceed on the project will not be issued until funding is secured.

Services that Fleis & Vandenbrink will be contributing to the sidewalk project include design, environmental documentation, topographic survey, utility coordination, right-of-way services, bidding, and construction administration and observation.

Council President Matt Brubaker said there are still about two dozen property owners who have not completed the survey.

In other business, Town Superintendent Casey Boggs said leaf pickup will officially begin on Monday, Oct. 23, but that town employees may pick up leaves before that start date whenever they are able to do so.

Leaves must be free of trash and sticks and away from signs, utility poles, and mailboxes.

Brubaker also said the town has not received an update from the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals regarding a request from Ashlee Ryman.

At its September meeting, the council gave Ryman its support in establishing a wedding and event venue at the former Pierceton United Methodist Church building.

The council’s next regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at the Pierceton Community Building. Council is also holding a special public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 12. At 2 p.m. on that date, council will finalize a few items for the town’s new employee handbook. Following that, at 3 p.m., the council will adopt the 2024 budget.