WARSAW — Conducting its last meeting of the year, the Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Protection Territory Board took care of necessary year-end business, including appointments to its board.

Diane Quance, who has served as a common council representative for four years, will be leaving. Mike Klondaris, council member and resident within the district of the new fire station, will be taking her place.

“Diane is going off the board after four years of service. At election time I sat down and talked to members … She has been appointed to the plan commission,” stated Mayor Joe Thallemer. He stated Quance didn’t request the move or have a conflict, she likes the board and “I’d let her stay if she wanted … For the boards and commissions … moved some around for the betterment of the city. She had the final vote.”

Quance referenced the new year and death of long time councilman Charlie Smith, filling of his positions and having three council members with the most experience. “It seemed the right thing to do … but I was reluctant. I enjoyed working with this board and the progress we’ve made. I’m excited about the new station … looking forward to expending my horizons … privilege to serve all the firefighters,” stated Quance. She recommended Klondaris for the position.

Thallemer filled the second position appointed by the city. The Wayne Township reappointed Gordon Nash and Sheila Bruner. The territory board unanimously reappointed Joe Streeter and appointed Fire Chief Mike Wilson to serve on the board.

During other business:

• Approved $31,000 in line two budget cuts as possible reductions in the 2016 budget.
• Approved an ordinance transferring $35,000 into the salaries and wages fund to handle a shortfall until the end of the year, primarily due to the switching of chiefs mid-year
• Accepted the 2016 wages of firefighters, staff, and stipend for board members
• Signed an agreement for accounting support services with H. J. Umbaugh & Associations. The rate will be based on standard hourly rates by job classifications as needed.
• Approved travel requests for Wilson and Shirley Fetrow, administrative assistant;, to meet with Umbaugh & Associates; and for Wilson, Brent Fifer, Brandon Allen and Trent Stamper to attend Incident Command Training.

Joe Fretz, fire inspector, on behalf of Wilson who was not in attendance, presented the monthly activity report for October by the department.

The report shows there were a total of 191 responses during the month: 147 within the city limits, 42 within Wayne Township and two responses out of the area. The largest number of calls related to rescue and medical assistance, 73.29 percent of the total calls. The two out of area responses were assists with Leesburg Fire Department. Assistance was received on two occasions by Winona Lake Fire Department and Warsaw Police Department.

There were nine fire calls, three overpressure calls (excessive heat with no fire), eight hazardous condition calls (gas leaks, clean up from accidents, shorted electrical equipment), 16 good intent calls (called out but cancelled en route), 14 false alarms/false calls and one special incident call (a citizen complaint of some type).