Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety approved Warsaw Police Department applying for a grant during its meeting Thursday. The grant is through the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services. The 2011 COPS hiring grant will provide 100 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for three years for newly hired, full-time sworn officers. The grant is designed to advance public safety through community policing. The board also approved event cancellation insurance for $3,628.50 through Brit Syndicate for the Warsaw Parks Department classic rock and country concerts. The policy will provide 100 percent coverage in the event that the city must cancel a concert due to weather safety or weather that prevents appropriate time to set up for the show. The contract gives law enforcement the authority to determine if a concert needs to be moved to an alternate location in instances of poor weather. It also will cover relocation expenses if there is time to move the concerts to Warsaw Community High School. The Friday Evening Performing Arts series concerts kicks off May 27 at 7 p.m. with Dixieland group Northeast Indiana Banjo Society performing. The board also approved a rental agreement with Lakeview Middle School as a rain relocation facility for the Friday Evening Performing Arts Series Blues and Barbecue concert. The board approved a rental agreement with Warsaw Community Schools to rent the Tiger Den as a rain relocation for the classic rock and country concerts. In other business, the board approved the city disbursing $3,500 to Warsaw Community Development Corp. for the purchase of fireworks for the annual Warsaw-Winona Lake fireworks show July 2 at dusk over Winona Lake. The board also approved a request to barricade Fort Wayne Street between Harrison and Lindberg streets from 9 to 2 p.m. for a Sacred Heart Field Day. The board also approved closing East Fort Wayne Street from Lake Street to Buffalo Street June 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a kids festival and garage sale sponsored by American Legion Post 49. The board approved a $149,950 contract between the city and Spin Casting for storm sewer repair on West Market Street. The board also approved an agreement between the city and Baker & Daniels to pay the company for legal fees for the proposed Warsaw Commons Phase II Expansion. The proposed expansion is to locate T.J. Maxx, PetSmart, and Ulta Beauty north of Kohl’s. The board approved hiring Shade Keeney as a firefighter with the Warsaw Fire Department. He will replace firefighter James Dietsch, who retires June 4 after 23 years of service.
