Dustin Baker is sworn in as a deputy marshal by Town Attorney Tammy Keirn during a Pierceton Town Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 8. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — The Pierceton Town Council has approved a five-year trash service contract with Stafford’s Solid Waste Service, Warsaw.

Prior to its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, council held a public hearing to open four bids the town received for trash service. Out of the four, Stafford’s provided the lowest bid, with a starting annual amount at $47,856, or $9.97 per unit. The adjustment to the contract per year will be no less than 3.5%.

Police Department Updates

Dustin Baker was sworn in as a deputy marshal by Town Attorney Tammy Keirn. Baker began working for the Pierceton Police Department on Aug. 18.

“I think one of the important things in law is building trust and being a familiar face, working side-by-side with our neighbors,” said Town Marshal Jim Bumbaugh. “I know Dustin is ready to tackle this job, he’s going to do a great job and we’re just proud to have him on board.”

Bumbaugh said he is continuing to look at what surrounding communities have in place regarding golf carts in town limits and is also considering new junk vehicle procedures.

An opioid rescue kit was also installed on the Pierceton Fire Department building on Monday, Sept. 8. Bumbaugh said the kit is publicly accessible to anyone and there are no cameras in the area.

Park and Paving

Town Superintendent Casey Boggs told residents that Phend & Brown will begin paving work this week and will continue into next week. He asked residents to be mindful of their crews as they work.

Boggs also said Keaton Cornell, a Whitko High School graduate, finished installing a disc golf course at Pierceton-Washington Township Park. The course’s installation relates to Cornell’s Eagle Scout project.

“We’re really fortunate to have Keaton choose Pierceton to do his Eagle Scout project,” said Boggs. “It looks really good up there.”

Disc golf players will have to bring their own discs to use the course.

Council also:

• Approved trick-or-treat times. Pierceton’s hours will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
• Heard the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce’s Girl’s Night Out event is from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. The event features door prizes, food, drinks, a photo booth, and shopping discounts.
• Encouraged anyone experiencing issues with Brightspeed, an Internet provider, to consider other options, such as Surf Internet or Mediacom. Comcast is also an option for business owners. Some residents have stated Brightspeed has been unavailable for months.

The council’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, as town offices are closed for Columbus Day. A budget hearing for the town will also take place at that time.