Francesville hires new town marshal

A new marshal will be in town beginning Aug. 1, after months of discussion by the Francesville Town Council.

During a regular meeting on July 20, the council approved to hire Doug Lee, of the Monticello area, as the new town marshal.

The hiring of Lee comes after several months of discussing if the town could save money by working with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office or if the town needs a marshal.

The council accepted applications and interviewed candidates twice due to concerns of a lack of applicants and wanting to hire an applicant that graduated from the police academy to save the town money.

According to clerk-treasurer Linda Bennett, Lee, 44, has been an officer with the Monon Police Department since June of 1999. He was a former member of a drug task force that served Pulaski County, 2002-2003. He is also a former corrections officer and firefighter.

Bennett said the council favored him as an applicant because “he has had the academy and has more local law enforcement experience.”

Lee was sworn in by Bennett on Monday. He will officially begin working full time Aug. 1.

The council will now look to fill a laborer position. They are interviewing candidates on Wednesday.