From Left: Pierceton Town Attorney Tammy Keirn, Clerk-Treasurer Jerry Kreger and Council President Matt Brubaker. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

PIERCETON — The Pierceton Town Council adopted an ordinance for speed limit reduction within town limits at its meeting, Monday night, Dec. 9.

Previously proposed and approved at the Oct. 14 and Nov. 11 council meetings respectively, the new ordinance would reduce speed limits on streets and roads within the town limits from 30 mph to 25 mph.

School zones where lower speed limits are already in place are excluded from the new ordinance. Stretches of US 30 and SR 13 that pass through Pierceton are excluded as well.

The ordinance was enacted to curb speeding motorists along town streets.

According to the ordinance read by Council President Matt Brubaker, violators may receive a minimum fine of $55, but no more than $500 and may be responsible for any court costs, should they arise. Violators will have a 10-day window to admit the violation to the clerk treasurer’s office.

Pierceton Police Chief Tim Sammons said he is looking into updating speed limit signs throughout the town to reflect the lower speed limit. Councilmember Tom Barker suggested he place extra signage at the westbound S-curve at 6th and 7th streets along with “a resume safe speed sign,” heading out of town.

While the ordinance is officially adopted, it won’t be enforceable until updated signage is in place. Sammons said he plans to have those installed before the next council meeting in January.

Other business included:

• Two existing park board members responded to the letters and expressed a desire to remain on the board. Three haven’t responded. The council gave approval for Clerk-Treasurer Jerry Kreger to continue trying to make contact until the beginning of January as the town hopes to re-establish the board.
• Rich Haddad, President of K21 Health Foundation, spoke to the town council about the availability of funds from the foundation up to $200,000 toward health and wellness initiatives in the town. He said there isn’t a deadline for usage, but encouraged the council to hold community meetings to get input from residents as well as using the funds for leverage in pursuing supplemental grants.
• The Pierceton police updated portable radios and purchased two dual-band radios for $6,715.66 with a grant from Kosciusko County Emergency Services. Sammons thanked Emergency Services Director Ed Rock for aiding the department in obtaining the grant funds.
• Leaf pickup in Pierceton ends Thursday, Dec. 12. Leaves will need to be bagged for pickup after Dec. 12.
• Santa will be at Harvest Community Church, 512 S. 7th St., Pierceton, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20, according to resident Georgia Tenney. The event is sponsored by the Pierceton Lions Club.
• The next council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 30, at the Pierceton Town Offices. The council will look at re-approving various agreements and end-of-the-year expenditures.