Discussing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources gypsy moth project, from left, are, Commissioner Bob Conley; Brad Jackson, vice president; and Marsha McSherry, assistant county administrator.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Commissioners met today, March 8, to discuss the mating habits of the gypsy moth. The moths are causing problems in the Atwood and Pierceton areas.

Eric Biddinger, nursing inspector and compliance officer for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources;
division of entomology and plant pathology, came before the commissioners to talk about the 2016 gypsy moth treatment project and to request a letter for the Federal Aviation Administration to treat the Atwood and Pierceton “blocks.”

There are two treatments to take place; a pheromone mating disruption treatment in Atwood and a Btk treatment in Pierceton. The DNR has contracts with Al’s Aerial Spraying and Davey’s Agricultural who need flight approval from the FAA, “In many cases a letter from the commissioners helps grease the skids to get the FAA approval,” Said Biddinger.

The commissioners unanimously approved the letter.

Chad Miner, county attorney, briefly touched upon the topic of Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine by reiterating he has not been convicted of any crimes and is innocent until proven guilty. He told the commissioners there wasn’t any action to take; Rovenstine is an elected official who has not stepped down nor been removed and it is now up to the courts.

Scott Tilden, Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent, gave his recommendations on which bids to accept for the purchase of single-axle trucks and tandem axle trucks.

His recommendation to accept three single axle trucks from Truck City, Fort Wayne, at $468.248 and two tandem axle trucks from the same company for $321,318 was approved.

Next meeting will be 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 22.