The Ferdinand Town Council met Tuesday and:

• Approved extending Ferdinand’s current emergency order for another month. Unless extended again, the order is now set to expire at the council’s next meeting, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

• Approved an ordinance that restricts parking on the west side of Kimberly Court, the south side of Caesars Court, the west and north sides of Ridgeway Court, the west side of Robin Drive, the south side of Cardinal Drive and the south side of Meadowlark Lane. "No parking" signage and curb paintings will come to those areas to highlight the changes.

• Opened quotes for an exterior renovation project aimed at rejuvenating the Ferdinand town hall. Lindsey’s Lumber and Builder Supply Inc. of French Lick submitted a base quote of $79,669, with additional alternates that could increase the price. Seufert Construction of Ferdinand submitted a base quote of $75,000, also with alternates that could increase the total cost. The bids were taken under advisement. Leadership is set to take action on them at a special meeting set for 8 a.m. Friday at town hall, 2065 Main St.

• Approved a resolution to reduce the 2020 budget by $2,000. The money will flow through into the 2021 budget.

• Approved advertising the sale of an old electric truck owned by the town. Bids will be opened and read publicly at the council’s November meeting. The truck will be located in the parking lot at town hall for interested buyers who would like to see it.

• Heard that trick-or-treat hours will remain the same as previously published: 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Trick-or-treaters are reminded to avoid homes where the front porch lights are turned off.

• Approved purchasing a multi-department backhoe loader at a cost of $79,833.19 from Erb Equipment of Evansville.

• Heard that town representatives are working on a Community Crossings grant application that could net the town $281,532.42 in funding for road projects. The grant would target nine different sections of roads throughout Ferdinand. The council approved President Ken Sicard to sign a letter that states the town will fulfill its local share of the grant, which amounts to $93,844.14.

• Approved submitting a claim for $72,446 in CARES Act funding reimbursement. Those funds were used for public health, public safety and payroll costs.

• Approved postponing a tax abatement hearing until the council’s November meeting.

• Approved a false smoke and fire alarm ordinance. Town Attorney Sharon Bohnenkemper explained that the ordinance will add new language that applies to malfunctioning hotel and motel alarm systems. It sets up penalties that are assessed in the form of monetary fines. This year to date, almost a quarter of the Ferdinand Volunteer Fire Department’s runs have been false alarms to a local hotel. The new ordinance will go into effect in the near future.

• Approved issuing a copy of the town’s new employee handbook to department heads.