Pittsboro, Indiana

History

The town of Pittsboro was founded on December 9, 1834, by Simon T. Hadley and Wiliam L. Matlock. The town was named "Pittsborough" in honor of Hadley's home in North Carolina. The spelling was later changed to "Pittsboro".

On April 6, 1906 an election was held for incorporation of the town. The result of the election was 83 favorable and 38 opposed. After incorporation came many infrastructure improvements and new services. Sidewalks were laid, street lights installed, and water service begun.

In 2008 Pittsboro had a parade for olympic silver medalist, Bridget Sloan. It led down to the high school (in neighboring Lizton, Indiana) where she thanked her fans for supporting her. Hundreds of people had lined main street with signs and banners.

In 2009 Pittsboro celebrated its 175th birthday. The celebration was from June 26 through the 28. The celebration included a temporary museum of the town's history and signs on the buildings that say "On this site" and tells you the history of the building and what was here before. The celebration also included food, activities, music, a parade, and fireworks.

Geography

Pittsboro is located at 39°52′2″N 86°27′41″W (39.867218, -86.461349).

According to the 2010 census, Pittsboro has a total area of 2.95 square miles (7.64 km²), all land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,928 people, 1,072 households, and 832 families residing in the town. The population density was 992.5 inhabitants per square mile (383.2/km²). There were 1,128 housing units at an average density of 382.4 per square mile (147.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.7% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 1,072 households of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age in the town was 36.3 years. 30.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 10.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,588 people, 621 households, and 465 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,040.0 people per square mile (400.7/km²). There were 643 housing units at an average density of 421.1 per square mile (162.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.49% White, 0.06% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 621 households out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,740, and the median income for a family was $56,417. Males had a median income of $41,935 versus $27,875 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,904. About 1.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Town Council

A five-member Town Council elected by the citizens serves as both the executive and legislative branches of the local Town Government. The Town Council President and Vice-President are chosen among the members of the Town Council. The Current Town Council as of January 2017 comprises: John Hart, President; Shelby Smith, Vice-President; Doug Joiner; Kimberly Carmean; and William Majeske. Shari Ping serves as the elected Clerk-Treasurer and Jason Love as the Town Manager appointed by the Town Council.

Legislative Duties

The town council serves as the legislative and executive branches of government for the town. The town council passes ordinances and resolutions to govern town matters. The town council also establishes salaries for town employees, appoints officeholders, passes a yearly budget, and sets utility rates.

Clerk-Treasurer

The clerk-treasurer is the fiscal officer of the town responsible for signing drafts and claims, dispersing monies on the order of the town council, maintains records, record minutes of meetings, administer oaths, and serves as a tie-breaker in votes of the town council.

Town Manager

The town manager is the administrative head of town government and serves at the pleasure of the town council. The town manager runs the day-to-day operations of the town and works with the town council to set policy.

Boards and Commissions

Various boards and commissions govern different aspects of the Town. All seats are appointed either by the Town Council or Town Council President. They serve in either an advisory role or autonomous to the Town Council in the case of the Parks Board. All members must be citizens of the Town. The boards and commissions are as follows: Advisory Plan Commission, Parks Board, Advisory Utility Board, Redevelopment Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Fire Board. The Town Council also serves as the Police Safety Board.

Parks Board

The Parks Board oversees all aspects of the Parks Department. The Parks Board was created by ordinance and can consist of only four members all appointed by the Town Council President. The Parks Board is allowed by Indiana statute to buy and sell land, enter into and sever contracts, and create a budget to name a few. The Town Council has final budget authority and sets salaries in the salary ordinance. The Parks Board appoints a Park Superintendent and oversees the Town's three parks.

Advisory Plan Commission

The Advisory Plan Commission is the building and planning authority for the Town. It consists of seven members, four of which are citizen members appointed by the Town Council President and three who must be either Town employees or appointed or elected members of another board appointed by the Town Council as a whole. The Plan Commission advises the Town Council on zoning, annexation, and various zoning ordinances. The Plan Commission can act alone in deciding street names, final plat approval, building permits, zoning violations, and addressing. The Plan Commission sets its own rules and procedures and appoints a Zoning Administrator.

Advisory Utility Board

The Advisory Utility Board serves as overseer of the Town's four utilities water,sewer,electric,and gas. The five members are appointed by the Town Council and composed of one Town Council Member. The Utility Board advises the Town Council on rates and charges by the individual utilities.

Redevelopment Commission

The Redevelopment Commission affords the Town a maximum opportunity for rehabilitation, redevelopment, or economic development areas by private enterprise and the Town. The Commission is controlled by a five-member board. The Town Council President appoints three citizen members and the whole Town Council appoints the remaining two. The Commission makes recommendations on special taxing districts for the purposes of redevelopment.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals shall have exclusive subject matter jurisdiction for dimensional variances, use variances, special exceptions, and administrative appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals serves as a sort of a judicial body that is autonomous from other town boards and commissions. The Board consists of five members. Three members are appointed by the Town Council President, of whom one must be a member of the Plan Commission and two who must not. One citizen member is appointed by the Town Council as a whole who must not be a member of the Plan Commission. The final member is appointed by the Plan Commission from its membership.

Fire Board

The Fire Board oversees the fire department and has final approval of annual budgets, hiring and firing, expenditures not previously budgeted, and future planning. The Fire Board shall consist of five members. The Town Council appoints two citizen members, the Middle Township Trustee appoints two citizen members, and the Fire Department appoints one. The Fire Department is housed in one station on Main Street in Pittsboro. The fire chief shall oversee the Fire Department and is appointed by the Fire Board. There are twelve full-time firefighters and about twenty reserve firefighters. The Fire Department protects about thirty five square miles in Pittsboro and Middle Township. They provide fire suppression, auto extrication, ambulance service, and fire prevention services.

Police Safety Board

The Town Council as a whole serves in an additional capacity as the Police Safety Board. The Safety Board chooses the Town Marshal, is in charge of hiring and firing of police officers, and serves as the disciplinary board. The Police Department consists of five full-time police officers and several reserve officers. Their offices are located at Town Hall. The Police Department shall enforce all state laws and local ordinances. A Town Marshal appointed by the Town Council and oversees the Police Department. The Police Department provide public safety, patrols Town streets, educates the public, and maintains order at public meetings.

Police Department

The Pittsboro Police Department is established under the Indiana State town marshal system. The town council appoints a town marshal and deputy marshals serve under the marshal. The police department is responsible for investigating crimes, patrolling town streets, traffic control, public safety, and crime prevention. There are currently four full-time police officer positions and several reserve police officers. The police department utilizes six fully equipped and modern police cars. The police department has offices in the back of town hall.

Fire Department

The Pittsboro Fire Department serves the Town of Pittsboro and Middle Township. The department was combined into one agency in 1998 and levies a flat tax rate to both the town and township. The Middle Township Trustee sets the levy at the direction of a combined town and township fire board. The fire chief is the administrative head of the fire department and serves at the pleasure of the fire board.

Street Department

The street department is responsible for all town streets, sidewalks, curbs, and street signs. Although budgeted as a separate department the street department does not have dedicated employees. Employees from other utilities crossover to handle street duties. The street department patches holes, plows snow, installs street signs, repairs sidewalks and curbs, and paints curbs.

Parks Department

The parks department is responsible for the towns three parks and plans several different festivals throughout the year. The parks department installs and maintains park equipment, mows grass, rents buildings, and keeps the parks tidy. The park superintendent is the administrative head of the parks and carries out many of the duties listed above. The park superintendent serves at the pleasure of the parks board.

Schools

Both schools are part of the North West Hendricks School Corporation.

Places of interest

Notable people