Alvaro A. Aguillon was sworn in as a Warsaw Police Department officer during a Board of Public Works and Safety meeting on Friday, Aug. 19. From left, are Warsaw Police Department Public Information Officer Captain Brad Kellar, WPD Chief Scott Whitaker, Kendall Aguillon, Aguillon’s wife; Aguillon; Martha Beltran, Aguillon’s mother; Alvaro Aguillon, Aguillon’s father; and Mayor Joe Thallemer. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Alvaro A. Aguillon was sworn in as an officer with the Warsaw Police Department during a Board of Public Works and Safety meeting on Friday, Aug. 19.

Mayor Joe Thallemer administered the formal oath of office. Aguillon’s parents, wife, and fellow officers were in attendance to witness the ceremony.

Aguillon has worked as a probationary officer with WPD since August 2021. He graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy with the 226th Basic Training Session in April.

“We’re excited, and I know that he is,” said WPD Chief Scott Whitaker. “It’s an exciting day for him and his family.”

In other business, the board approved a demolition request for a two-story apartment building at 500 Chinworth Court, owned by Ralph Fitch. During a June 28 hearing, the city’s code enforcement officials ordered the building, which was deemed an unsafe structure by Hearing Officer Tom Earhart, be demolished.

The city solicited quotes through a seal quote procedure as outlined in Indiana Code 36-1-12-5. Chuck Shane Excavating provided the lowest quote for the demolition at $8,500. The Board of Works approved the demolition contract with Chuck Shane Excavating.

Two bids for a sewer extension project in the area of CR 200S were also opened. G&G Hauling & Excavating, Warsaw, presented a base bid of $1,314,780.46; HRP Construction Inc., South Bend, presented a base bid of $1,483,820. Bids for the project were taken under advisement.

City Planner Justin Taylor also requested the board accept a property donation from Indiana American Water. A 3.95-acre parcel located at 216 S. Hand Ave. is being donated from IAW to the city. Taylor said the Warsaw Rotary Club has taken interest in the site and is looking to collaborate with the city on developing the area into a dog park. The board approved accepting the property donation.

The board also:

• Approved a road closure request from Patrick Loebs for a neighborhood block party on Oct. 8. East Clark Street, between North Lincoln Street and North Lindberg Drive, will be closed from 4-11 p.m.
• Approved a road closure request for the Lincolnway Cubmobile event on Sept. 17. South Indiana Street, between East Center Street and East Canal Street, will be closed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Board’s next meeting is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, in Warsaw City Hall.

Aguillon is sworn in by Mayor Thallemer during the Board of Works meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

The building at 500 Chinworth Court is set for demolition. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.