Mayor Joe Thallemer administers the oath of office to Rogelio Navarro while his family watches on. In front are Robbie and Jarvis, while in back are Navarro, his wife, Jessica and children Carmen and Rolley. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

WARSAW — Rogelio Navarro was sworn in as a new officer of the Warsaw Police Department at the start of the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Oct. 16. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer administered the oath of office with Navarro’s family by his side.

Navarro served one year with Nappanee Police Department before beginning his probationary period with WPD.

During the city’s business, the board opened and approved the purchase of a pick up truck for the parks and recreation department. Bids were received from Lakeside Chevrolet, Warsaw, $21,554.51 with trade-in; City Chevrolet, Columbia City, $20,057.25 with trade-in; and Shepherd Chevrolet, North Manchester, $20,752.26 with trade-in. The bids were taken under advisement initially and awarded before the end of the meeting.

Lakeside Chevrolet was awarded the bid. While Lakeside was not the lowest bid there was a 6 percent difference between its bid and the lowest bid. “It is important we try to look locally when we can,” said Thallemer, who stressed the city does not want to discourage bidders from outside the area. “We look at other bids and look to set thresholds. In this case it came in on the edge,” said Thallemer.

Lakeside was also recommended because of the miles and time saved should the vehicle need to be taken in for maintenance. The bids were for a 2016 two-wheel drive truck. The 2001 GMC one-half ton truck will be used as a trade-in.

Bids to demolish three structures were awarded to Pete Gawthrop, Syracuse, at a total cost of $17,000. The structures, found to be substandard buildings according to Municipal Code, are located at 108 N. Parker Ave., 124 S. Sherman St.; and 324 N. West St. Quotes were also received from G & G Hauling and Excavating, Inc., Warsaw, a total quot of $33,420.80; and Beer & Slabaugh, Inc., Nappanee, at a total bid of $40,941.25.

Prior to the start of the business meeting, Thallemer asked for a moment of silence for Charlie Smith, who was a big part of the three-member board. “Let the record reflect the absence of Charlie Smith who has departed from his earthly home. He was a long standing member of the Board of Works and Safety and he will be sadly missed.”

Other Business

During other business:

• Approved an agreement with Umbaugh Cash Advisory Services for Investments
• Signed a sub-recipient agreement for Warsaw Housing to work with Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation on a Community Development Block Grant
• Locked in diesel prices with North Central Co-op for one year, or the established gallon amounts are reached. A contract will be signed at the next meeting.
• Signed an agreement with The Bowling Alley for the city employee Christmas Gathering at an estimated cost of $4,180.65.
• Officially signed a recycling contract for 2016 through 2018 with Borden Waste-Away Service for alley and curbside services for several months and strictly street/curbside pick up from thereafter.
• Approved payment to VS Engineering in the amount of $467.33, on Phase Two of the East Market Street project for engineering fees, from Bronson to Hickory. Jeremy Skinner, city planner stated this project is scheduled for the 2017 fiscal year — July 2017 to July 18, with bid letting occurring between this time. He stated 95 percent of the survey work has been completed.
• The current East Market Street project should be completed within four weeks, with with final resurfacing and punch list items yet to be completed.

The next meeting of the board will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. This meeting was moved from the regular date of Friday, Nov. 6