PIERCETON — Official business was slow at the Pierceton Town Council meeting Monday, Oct. 9, but an unexpected guest once again brought disturbance to the town’s monthly meeting.

Neil Schafer, reportedly from Laketon, had been at Brower Park selling produce on Saturday, Oct. 7, outside of farmers market hours, when council President Tom Barker approached him. According to Schafer, Barker was rude to him and accused him of being a “squatter” and a “bum.”

At the meeting, Schafer presented evidence, in the form of newspaper clippings, of being a known organic produce salesman, frequently giving away food to those in need.

A misunderstanding occurred when Schafer asked permission from Delores Kirkham to be at the park during non-farmers market hours. Kirkham, who is in charge of the weekly Friday farmers market, was unaware that she could not give that type of permission. The farmers market is 4-6 p.m. every Friday.

Schafer continuously insisted that Barker was disorderly, stating that he felt Barker should step down from his position on the council.

Barker insisted that he was not rude to Schafer and simply told him he could not be there. Schafer provided a recording of the incident to town marshal Tim Sammons to be reviewed outside of the meeting.

In other news, Sammons informed the board that the officer body cameras that have been discussed over the last several meetings are up and running. Pierceton Police Department is utilizing evidence.com to store their files.

Barker then asked Sammons about the bulletproof vests first mentioned at the June meeting. Sammons stated that the process has been less than smooth, but he has been told that the vests will be in later this month.

In other business:

• Town Manager Chip Hill stated that the drainage issue on Second Street has been resolved.
• The fire department’s open house is 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13.