The second reading of an ordinance to establish a hazardous material response fund and schedule of charges for services provided by the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory was approved 5-1 Monday evening by the Warsaw Common Council. This applies mainly to motor carriers traveling through the city/township.

Elaine Call was the sole council member against the fund. Call stated throughout the discussion she saw no reason for the fund. She explained several times all the fire territory needed to do was show in its budget an estimated amount of revenue and that same amount as expenditure in a budget line item. The two would wash themselves out and not affect the budget.

WWFT Fire Chief Mike Brubaker was present at the meeting to explain the reasoning behind the fund, stating it would make it an easier transition to replace hazardous material when used.

The fund would be used to deposit payments from transportation companies when hazardous material supplies are used due to a spill. The fire territory has the authority, according to state statute, to charge motor transportation companies for supplies used and time equipment has to remain at the scene until clean up is complete. Currently the funds are going into the fire territory’s general fund with additional appropriations having to be requested to replace the funds.

In the past the department, according to state statute, would contact the company with the name of the vendor to purchase the materials and information where to have the replacement materials sent. Many would request a bill and a check would be written.

“If it’s done the way I said, show the revenue and expenses, and there be a huge catastrophe you could ask for additional appropriations,” stated Call.

Call also stated she had asked for a history of money brought in through previous billing of hazardous material. Brubaker stated in the three years he has been fire chief only one check of $150 has been received. This also supported Call’s opposition to establishing the fund.

During other business the council heard from Jeff Rowe of Umbaugh and Associates who suggested ways to stop temporary loans for general obligation bond payments. The loans have been necessary due to dates bond payments are due and receipt of tax distributions. Additionally municipalities are only allowed to carry 15 percent of the annual debt service payment in the budget.

Current general obligation bonds will be paid in full in 2017, he suggested should further bonds be issued, the city look at changing the pay schedule dates. Rowe noted numerous municipalities are in the same situation.

Additional topics included:

• Approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing the Warsaw Redevelopment Authority. A second reading, public hearing and final action will take place at 2:30 p.m. April 20 in the council meeting room.
• Approved the transfer of funds from the general fund to the general bond fund in the amount of $203,000.
• Jeff Beeler, street department, announced two programs for city residents: Compost give-away and the 50/50 sidewalk program. The city provides the labor free of charge in the sidewalk program, with the homeowner and the city sharing the cost of the concrete. The program is on a first come/first serve basis as there are limited funds. He noted interested residents should encourage neighbors to participate in the project with them, as the city would prefer doing a block at a time.