Allen Sworn In As New WPD Officer
Gordon L. Allen III is the newest officer with the Warsaw Police Department. Allen was sworn in during today’s Warsaw Board of Public Works & Safety meeting.
“We’re very glad you’re here,” stated Mayor Joe Thallemer before administering the oath of office. Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker stated Allen is an eight-year veteran with the New Haven Police Department and just finished his probationary period with WPD.
Several members of WPD were present, along with his mother, Melinda; his wife, Anna; and daughter, Aaliyah, to witness what Thallemer called “an enjoyable experience.”
The remainder of the meeting was routine monthly business.
Niblock Excavating Inc., was awarded the bid for improvements in a north/south alley between Indiana and Buffalo streets, off the 100 block of East Center Street. The bid was for $3,832. Niblock was the lone bidder. The project is the city’s contribution to alleviate drainage problems in that alley.
Quality Home Decorating received the contracts for staining the exterior and painting the floor at Nye Youth Cabin. The exterior staining cost is $3,289. The floor painting cost is $2,999. Larry Plummer, parks superintendent, noted with the completion of the interior remodeling of the cabin, the exterior was in dire need of staining. The remodeling additionally included repairing of the floor cracks with new concrete, leaving concrete strips in the floor.
During other business:
- Approved an agreement with TruGreen for tree and shrub care at Central Park, Kiddieland and McKinley Park in 2015 at a cost of $5,345.
- Approved payment to A&Z Engineering in the amount of $2,056.50 for the Market Street improvement project change order.
- Accepted new hire/change in payroll for five employees: Tanner Hobbs, Wastewater Treatment Utility, six month evaluation; Chelsea Blackford, WWTU, administrative help; Raymond Zimmerman and James Price, street department, new/replacement; and Robert Gonzalez, street department, position change.
- Approved travel requests by Nicholas King, airport, to an international council/airshow annual conference in Las Vegas, Nev., and Thallemer to the mayor’s institute in Indianapolis.
- Approved a contract with H.J. Umbaugh & Associates for accounting services agreement on a general obligation bond. The cost will be based on the proposed $1.2 million bond.
- COBRA rates for dental insurance for employees separated from the city were set, ranging from $14.79 to $21.93.
- Approved rates for the basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance following a policy update providing a clear definition of “actively at work.” There was a slight increase in life benefits for police and fire members hurt or killed on the job. Life insurance rates decreased from .225 to .20 per $1,000 and the AD&D had a .015 increase. The long term disability remained at .450 per $100.
Contracts for 2015 were approved with:
- Animal Welfare League in the amount of $19,000
- City County Athletic Complex for $31,000
- Kosciusko Area Bus Service for $18,500 with a capital improvement match of $10,000
- Warsaw Community Development Corp for $12,600
- Warsaw Housing Authority for $30,000
- Housing Opportunities of Warsaw for $25,000
- Center For Lakes and Streams for $5,000
- Downtown Event Coordinator for $8,000.
The next meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19.