Pictured from left, Board of Works member Charles Smith, Mayor Joe Thallemer and Warsaw Chief of Police Scot Whittaker holding the latest portraits of WPD.

To open the April 2 meeting of the Warsaw Board of Works, Warsaw Police Detective Brad Kellar was recognized for two recent awards he’s received.

Kellar was awarded the Bishop Award and Iron Warrior Award at a recent National Criminal Enforcement Association conference.

“First and foremost, we appreciate that you guys allow us to go to these trainings,” said Kellar. “It’s all about locating criminals. Not only to locate those criminals and get them off the street, but to do that professionally.”

The NCEA (originally called National Drug Interdiction Association) was started by Robbie Bishop, a pioneer in criminal interdiction and an ace policeman. Keller became involved with the organization in 2004, and continues to be involved.

Kellar admitted he was surprised to be award the Bishop Award. He said the is personally chosen by Lisa Bishop Webb, the NCEA’s honorary president and Bishop’s widow. “I was extremely honored and blessed to receive that,” Kellar said.

Kellar and Warsaw Chief of Police Scot D. Whitaker presented Mayor Thallemer and the rest of the board with the police department’s portraits for 2015.

Also at the meeting, Assistant City Planner Tim Dombrosky provided an update on the Market Street project. “Our street contractor is scheduled to begin May 1, and utility work is going on right now,” he said.

Some street closures should be expected on Market Street in coming months. Dombrosky noted the worst will probably result from Indiana American Water’s work, which is expected to begin later this month. Dombrosky said that once the street contractor begins work, portions of Market Street will likely be closed in two to three blocks sections at a time; he doesn’t believe it will be too disruptive to traffic.

Warsaw Municipal Airport Manager Nick King requested permission to pay $25,000 to Ceres Farms for the purpose of beginning the purchasing process for acquiring 81 acres of land to the east of the airport.

The total cost of the acquisition is expected to be $615,000. INDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to pay approximately $532,000 for the project. Paperwork was recently submitted paperwork for a $40,000 administrative settlement, which translated to less out of pocket for the airport.

The board approved a request to suspend infrastructure bonds belonging to Menards for the purpose of developing land adjacent to the store in Warsaw. Menards doesn’t feel the residential development of this property is feasible under the current economic climate.

The board revoked Yellow Cab of Warsaw’s taxicab permit due to inability to maintain proper automobile insurance. Several Warsaw Parks Department contracts were approved. Two contracting Charles Ray Jr. to instruct a fly fishing class, one contracting Daniel Huber as a paddle boarding instructions and another contracting Chris Boyd as the Kids Triathlon Clinics instructor.

Warsaw Housing Authority’s Home of your Own Draw request of $7,676.04 was approved. Pamela Kennedy, of WHA, reported that the organization had started 6 news houses in Warsaw.