Pictured, from left, are Pierceton Clerk-Treasurer Myra Mast and Council President Glenn Hall. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — During an Aug. 12 council meeting, the Pierceton Town Council heard a concern about Pierceton Woods Academy residents trespassing at a local business.

Randy Bowman, vice-president of Suncoast RV Trailer Sales, addressed council regarding three recent instances with PWA residents entering the business’s display units without permission. Suncoast is located about a half-mile south of PWA.

Bowman said counselors follow the students, but don’t take any action to stop them. He also said the counselors don’t talk to him when he asks about the residents’ actions.

“It’s getting ridiculous,” said Bowman. “We’re at our wits’ end and we don’t know what to do.”

With the three trespassing incidents, Bowman said law enforcement was involved during one of the instances. Police were not contacted for the other times as the individuals were escorted off the property.

Council President Glenn Hall said he and Town Marshal Jim Bumbaugh recently met with Abe Hepler, PWA’s vice-president of residential services, about the issue.

Hepler attended the council meeting and said the state’s Department of Child Services controls what staff can and cannot do with residents. PWA cannot lock any of the residents in their rooms and can’t physically restrain the residents unless they are harming themselves or harming others.

“It is our absolute goal to be a good neighbor,” said Hepler. “We want to care well for the kids and we want to take care of the community.”

Hepler said he found the counselors not engaging in conversation with Bowman “shocking” and said he would be more than happy to talk with the staff about the recent issues.

“Glenn and Jim and I, when we met … we had a conversation about what we could do additionally to support law enforcement or to put a law enforcement officer on the property more often,” said Hepler. “All those things are options we’re considering.”

Council concurred with Hepler’s statement and said they’re looking at various options to stop the trespassing from occurring.

In other business, the council had a first reading for a town ordinance regarding yard/garage sales. The ordinance states residents can hold a yard sale three times per year, with each sale not allowed to exceed four days. Consecutive sales are also prohibited and sales can only be conducted from sunrise to sunset. There must also be a period of eight days between sales.

Those in violation will receive a $50 fine for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $200 for the third and any subsequent offenses.

Kosciusko Area Bus Service’s General Manager Kristin Rude also attended the council meeting to provide information on KABS’ services.

KABS offers transportation between the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The organization services the entirety of Kosciusko County and offers rides for medical, work, and leisure purposes. Depending on the amount of travel, rides vary from $1 to $3 one-way, with a $5 same-day fee added on if travelers call for rides the same day of travel.

Rude encouraged interested riders to contact KABS when the need for travel is known as soon as possible. Medicaid users can also be transported by KABS anywhere in the state of Indiana.

Citizens can learn more information about KABS on its website.

Council also:

• Received one bid for the upcoming sidewalk project on School, Third, and Catholic Streets. The bid was from Phend & Brown in the amount of $425,799. It was taken under advisement.
• Set trick or treat hours for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
• Encouraged citizens to sign up for REACH Alert, a notification system which sends e-mails and text messages to residents with reminders and emergency information.
• Learned the Heirloom Tomato Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.
• Learned the car show initially scheduled to take place during Pierceton Days was rescheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Pierceton Elementary School.
• Heard from Greg Chism about the possibility of distributing a survey to see if there is interest in the purchase of flags for local first responders, police, and veterans to display in the town.

Pierceton Council’s next regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9. Prior to their regular meeting, a budget hearing will take place. Council will also have a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22.