B.O.W. Accepts WPD Promotions
Two promotions in the Warsaw Police Department were noted and a Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory firefighter was sworn in during Friday’s regular meeting of the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety.
Brandon Allen, the newest full-time firefighter to complete his probationary term, was sworn in by mayor Joe Thallemer in the presence of his family and fellow firefighters. Allen has been with the department a year.
In the WPD, detectives Joe Hawn and Paul Heaton were both promoted to the rank of detective sergeant. Hawn was assigned to the detective division in June 2007 and reassigned to the D.A.R.E. program in December 2008. From June 2009 through August 2009, he assisted in the detective division and was promoted to detective in January of this year.
In recommending the promotion, WPD Deputy Chief Bryan Sherwin noted Hawn “has proven to be a highly productive officer; even taking on many of the department’s criminal cases this year.” He also called Hawn “a leader in the division who has exceptional rapport with co-workers as well as the public, including victims and/or suspects.”
Heaton was also recommended by Sherwin for promotion. Heaton was temporarily assigned from the patrol division to the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force in September 2010. In August of the following year, he was promoted to detective and in June 2012 he assumed the primary responsibility of investigating drug related cases.
In recommending Heaton for promotion, Sherwin wrote, “He is a highly productive officer who is sought out as a source of information by many other agencies. Additionally, he is a proven leader and a dedicated officer who initiates many of his own drug investigations.”
In other business:
- City attorney Mike Valentine noted four liens for unpaid sewage bills on the property at 1405 Ranch Rd. were released so Gene O’Hara could purchase the dilapidated home and repair it. The home is currently under a demolition order under its current owners, Mark and Donna Shaffer, but O’Hara plans to finalize the purchase next week and begin improvements in early October. (See related story)
- A bill for $16,153 for preliminary engineering work on the Husky Trail project was approved for payment. The amount is included in an 80/20 grant, meaning the city will recoup 20 percent of the project cost.
- A bill for $54,196.28 was approved for payment. The amount is for the plaza wall and restroom project.
- Pay application #17 for the city hall renovations project was approved in the amount of $107,725.70. City planner Jeremy Skinner noted it is the second to last pay application remaining on the contract with contractor Harold McComb & Sons Inc. of Fort Wayne.
- The first pay application for the renovations on the third floor of city hall was also approved in the amount of $47,978.10. The amount includes framing work, electrical conduit, mechanical duct work and some of the plumbing. The project is expected to be completed in mid- to late November.