New Warsaw city firefighters are, from left, Lucas Ellsworth, Tony Shilling and Zachary Rumsyre.

WARSAW — The City of Warsaw boasts three new members of the town’s team of firefighters.

On Friday, Aug. 17, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer swore in Tony Shilling, Lucas Ellsworth and Zachary Rumsyre as city firefighters during the regular meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety. The trio completed the fire department’s year-long probationary period and the Warsaw council chambers was filled to near capacity as fellow firefighters and family members were in attendance to mark the event.

“With the expansion of Station 3, obviously it was needed, and just the training they’ve gone through and the year they’ve spent developing their skills, it says a lot,” said Thallemer after the meeting. “The support of all the firefighters who came and the families, it’s pretty gratifying.”

From left, Lucas Ellsworth, Tony Shilling and Zachary Rumsyre listen to complimentary words from Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Thallemer said the significance of adding three members of a unit designed for public safety is not lost on him, given the current climate of the job market.

“We were talking about workforce and how difficult it is to have a good, trained workforce and here you’ve got guys who are dedicating themselves not only to a job, but one that’s sometimes a dangerous job,” Thallemer said. “And there are their families and babies sitting there at home while they’re out doing things that are pretty risky.”

Following the swearing in, Thallmer called the wives of the three men up to the front to pin on the badges of Warsaw’s newest firefighters.

The trio will officially be off probation and listed as full-time firefighters on Aug. 26.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from Pam Kennedy, representing Housing Authorities of Warsaw on a payment draw for a Home Of Your Own project of $7,483.65, as well as a mortgage release for a property on 615 W. Winona Avenue.
• Heard a report from Fire Chief Mike Wilson on the upcoming Family Safety Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wilson told the board he expected a boost in attendance from last year’s event.
• Approved a road closing for the 2018 Patriot Day event, an annual event which commemorates the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
• Approved a road closure for the 2018 Unreined A event.
• Approved a payment of $160,171.00 to Mosaic Building Solutions for fire station construction.
• Heard a new hire report from human resources.
• Approved an agreement between the city and The Bowling Alley for a location to hold the town’s annual Christmas party, Dec. 4.
• Approved an agreement with Monster Message for the use of a screen apparatus for the Fall Family Fun event planned for Oct. 12.
• Approved payments of $342,039.72 and $188,540 to Selge Construction; $28,051 to Wessler Engineering; and $206,135 to Layne Inliner.
• Heard a report on unbilled properties by the Wastewater Department.