The Pierceton Town Council practiced social distancing during its meeting Monday evening, April 13. Town Council President Tom Barker (left), Councilmember Mandy Espinoza (Center) and Councilmember Matt Brubaker (Right). Image from Facebook Live.

PIERCETON — Town Council discussed developing a continuity of essential operations for the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office at its meeting, Monday evening, April 13.

The meeting was broadcast via Facebook Live. The measures of social distancing were in place at the meeting.

The town does not have official procedures in place in the event the Clerk-Treasurer would be unavailable. The idea to establish official procedures came from Town Council President Tom Barker and Clerk-Treasurer Myra Mast.

The Clerk-Treasurer’s office does have a list of contacts in the event the office is closed, according to Mast.

The main concern was payroll for the town employees. “If something were to happen to Mira,” said Barker, ‘no one would be able to sign checks.”

The discussion comes at a time when many towns are revising contingency plans for the pandemic in case of an emergency.

Town Attorney Tammy Keirn suggested that one or two individuals be designated as authorized to handle the town’s finances, possibly the assistant in the Clerk’s office and the Town Council President.

Keirn noted other towns have recently authorized its town council presidents to handle finances during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Pierceton, she claims the measure is a more long-term resolution.

“We’re thinking long-term here, not just the next few weeks,” Keirn said.

The council may be required to hold an emergency meeting to approve a continuity of essential operations. The council did not take action on the matter. It instead tabled the issue pending development of a procedure and Mast looking into state requirements.

Other business included:

• Town Utilities Supervisor Casey Boggs is looking to fill an open position in his office. He has not decided if it will be a full-time or part-time position. However, given the number of people out of work, he does not “see an issue getting applications,” he said.
• Pierceton Police Chief Tim Sammons said he is awaiting emergency financial assistance from the K21 Health Foundation to purchase more face masks for officers in the department.
  

  Pierceton Police Chief Tim Sammons wore a protective mask at the town council meeting, Monday evening, April 13. Image captured via Facebook Live.