Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer administers the oath of office to George Clemens who has been appointed to the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety, filling the vacancy on the board following the death of Charlie Smith. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

WARSAW — George Clemens, newly appointed member of the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety, took the oath of office Monday morning at his first BOW meeting. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, who appointed Clemens to the board, noted Clemens is a former councilman and a community businessman. “His experience will be very helpful,” said Thallemer.

Clemens fills the vacancy left due to the death of Charlie Smith. “No one can take Charlie’s place,” said Thallemer, noting Clemens was appointed to fill the vacancy and bring his own experience to the board.

The regular meeting of the BOW was moved from Friday, Nov. 6, to Monday morning due to the inability of Thallemer to attend.

Among the business was coming up with a  viable solution to back billing for an apartment building at 312 S. Detroit St. For the past 10 years the owner, Erasmo Garcia, has been billed for four apartments instead of five at that location. The error in billing was recently discovered by the city. Garcia was asked to pay six years of back billing, totaling $2,388.50.

It was learned Garcia had been receiving a bill showing only the total amount owed. Bills now show the number of units he is being billed for. Mary Lou Plummer, city wastewater manager, stated until recently “four apartments is what we thought he had,” stated Mary Lou Plummer, city wastewater manager.

Following discussion the board felt it was fair for Garcia to only pay in arrears the amount owed since the number of units were included on the bill. The board was notified before the end of the meeting the detailed billing began in January and the amount in arrears would be $355.50. Garcia accepted the agreement.

During other business:

• Released a mortgage with the Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, as the homeowner has fulfilled the requirements.
• Approved a contract with Pro Air Midwest, Inc., Bloomington, to service police dive team air tanks and fire department air paks at a cost of $3,510.
• Signed interlocal agreements with KEMRAD, Inc., for $5,000, for traffic control; the annual service agreement with Kosciusko County on the Sun Gard/OSSI Records Management System, for $30,000; and Warsaw Community School Corporation for salt used on school property during winter.
• Approved a contract with Overhead Door Company, Fort Wayne, to install two 14-by-11 foot garage doors at the airport shop building allowing access for the fire department’s foam trailer.
• Signed a 12-month fuel agreement with North Central Co-op for the purchase of on and off road diesel and 91 clear gasoline.
• Approved a contract change with Avantti Environmental Group, LLC, Hales Corners, Wis., on the IDEM Agreed Order Remedial Investigation of Walnut Creek, which occurred 13 years ago, at a new price of $25,608, a $5,108 increase from the original contract.
• Contract with Gasvoda & Associates, Inc., Calumet City, Ill., approved for SCADATA upgrades and programming at the wastewater plant, for $14,160.
• Approved a contract with Monoform, LLC, South Bend, for the rehabilitation of eight manholes at various locations. The cost is $14,465.
• Approved pay vouchers for right-of-way acquisition services on the the Husky Trail Project in the amount of $11,335 to A&Z Engineering LLC, Fort Wayne; Niblock Excavating, Bristol, for East Market Street improvements, at a cost of $414,794.49 with a retainage of $21,831.29; and amendment adding $7,000 to the construction engineering contract for the Market Street Road Project, to A&Z Engineering.
• Signed an agreement with Peoplelink Staffing Services for seasonal hiring during leaf pick up season.
• Tabled a request to hire Heartland Restoration Services for restoration of the shoreline on Pike Lake at Lucerne Park.
• Approved travel requests to attend conferences for eight people.
• Approved new hires and change in payroll for six individuals including the new hire of Warren Gruenewald, new assistant superintendent for public works.