Resident Conflict Takes Attention At Pierceton Council
PIERCETON — Pierceton’s Town Council meetings have been relatively quiet the last few months, with nothing besides general business occurring. That is until the meeting April 10.
After a quiet meeting of regular business, a resident who will remain unnamed brought forth an issue. The backyard of his home of 30 years routinely floods, and he expects the city to do something about it.
Apparently there is a drainage tile on the property that becomes plugged with roots every season due to the number of mature trees near the lot.
Town Manager Chip Hill quickly became irritated, advising the council that his crew just checked on the drainage tile that morning and water was running through it. “It’s slow but it’s draining,” said Hill. “I don’t know what else to do about it.”
The resident suggested that in the 30 years the problem has persisted, the town should have set up a fund to take care of it. The town shot back advising that they cannot randomly allot money, and the only other option would be to instate a storm sewer tax on the entire town. With only a handful of Pierceton’s residents experiencing issues, the council stated that it is clearly not the best option.
After a brief argument with Hill over the resident’s town-living expectations, the resident left the meeting. “You all enjoy your town and I’ll do what I have to do to solve it,” he stated as he left.
The board asked Hill to perhaps try to clear the tile again, an order of business Hill states was done just two months ago.
It was suggested that the resident fill his yard in with dirt, something many of the low-lying residents have needed to do. “[The resident] has the lowest property in town. I don’t know what he expects,” Hill said at one point.
In other business:
- President Tom Barker introduced the adoption of the state’s unsafe building statute. It will be adopted in 30 days.
- Pierceton Fire Department will hold their fish fry starting at 4 p.m. May 6.
- Pierceton Days will take place Aug. 4-5.