Ferdinand Town Council Approves New Officer, Reviews Local Issues

The Ferdinand Town Council approved a new police employment offer and reviewed several ongoing community concerns at a special meeting. 

On Wednesday afternoon, the Council held a special meeting to consider an employment offer. Ferdinand Police Department Chief Rob Randle requested permission to give a conditional offer of full-time employment to Officer Dylan Massey. The Council approved the request with a start date of July 10. 

The board voted to approve Ordinance 2026-10, which amends Ordinance 2025-25 regarding salaries, compensation, and wages for elected officials, appointees, and employees of the town of Ferdinand. The ordinance sets Officer Massey’s starting wage at $25.00 per hour plus an additional $1.17 per hour for night shift differential, with 168 hours per pay period. The ordinance and wage terms are explicitly pending favorable test results. 

In prior business, the Council discussed the condition of the Dollar General property and adjacent area. Council members noted that the condition of the site is unsightly and also has potential safety concerns with the overgrowth of vegetation. Last year’s mowing was referenced, with questions about determining responsibility for upkeep and possible remediation. Questions were raised with INDOT, but no feedback had been received. The topic will be raised with engineers in their meeting about the 164 intersection. The matter will be placed on the next Council agenda for further discussion. 

A speed warning sign near Dollar General was also discussed. The sign, estimated to have cost approximately $7000, was said to have been installed in the wrong location. While the state said that the sign could be moved if requested, the suggestion was made that a second sign placed further out of town, before 23 rd Street, may be needed to slow vehicles earlier. President Kenneth Sicard said he had suggested that the town might consider funding part of a second sign, but town officials are waiting on a follow-up from the state. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit www.ferdinandindiana.org 

 - Drew Hasselbring