Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Whitestown authorizes pursuit of land for public safety training facility; neighbors ask about outdoor firing range
Summary
The Whitestown Town Council on May 14 approved Resolution 2025-15 authorizing town staff to pursue discussion and potential acquisition of land for a public safety training facility; the motion passed 4-1 with Councilwoman Hancock voting no.
The Whitestown Town Council on May 14 approved Resolution 2025-15 authorizing town staff to pursue discussion and potential acquisition of land for a public safety training facility; the motion passed 4-1 with Councilwoman Hancock voting no.
Town officials described the property as roughly 40 acres north of the wastewater treatment facility plus an additional 5 acres north of the new fleet barns. Chief Rolston said the initial buildout would include a firearms range oriented to the south, 30-foot-high range berms and side berms to mitigate noise, a future fire training tower, and a fenced canine training area. The chief said the range would be designed to meet safety standards.
Neighbors and council members raised concerns about noise, transparency and the town’s process for town-owned projects. Resident Ken Kingshill, who lives nearby, asked whether the site would include an outdoor firing range; the chief confirmed it would and described sound-mitigating measures. Kingshill and other residents asked that the town follow its normal development-review and public-notice procedures for town projects. Chief Rolston and the town manager responded that major structures would go through normal steps and that staff would work with legal to notify nearby property owners before construction.
Council discussion included budget and priority questions. Councilwoman Hancock said she wanted to prioritize essential needs such as a fire station and cited fiscal uncertainty over large capital projects; she cast the lone vote against authorizing discussions. Other council members said they supported exploring the property to negotiate the best price and to advance training capacity that could help recruit and retain public-safety personnel.
Council approved the resolution giving staff authority to speak with property owners and negotiate terms. Chief Rolston said he would notify council before a purchase agreement is signed and that staff would coordinate legal notice and neighbor outreach as design and acquisition progress.
