Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety approved a Warsaw Fire Department promotion and rank change during Friday's meeting.
The board approved a motion for WFD firefighter Nate Iden to be promoted to lieutenant at the department.
Iden will fill the lieutenant's position that has been vacant since May due to the promotion of Brooke Murphy to captain, according to Jennifer Whitaker, Warsaw human resources director.
Iden was hired by Warsaw in April 2007.
Mike Rice, Warsaw fire chief, said Iden has been with the department for three years, and has proven himself as a firefighter and leader on the department.
Iden's salary will be increased from $1,644,16 to $1,700.20 bi-weekly.
The board also approved Mike Brubaker voluntarily stepping down from captain to firefighter. Brubaker was promoted to captain in January this year to fill a vacant position.
Brubaker's pay will go from $1,821.93 bi-weekly to $1,723.97 bi-weekly.
Rice said Brubaker stepping down from captain to firefighter was non-disciplinary and was voluntary.
In other business, the board approved for WFD to trade in its pickup truck and purchase another pickup truck.
Rice said the purchase amount is within the 2010 budgeted amount. The Wayne Township Advisory Board and Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory Board approved the pricing and purchase of the pickup.
Rice said the current WFD pickup has 60,000 to 70,000 miles on it.
The board approved the city purchasing the pickup from Kerlin Ford for $18,953.
The board denied the city purchasing a new vehicle that would be used by Rice and WFD personnel for out-of-town travels to conferences and training.
Rice proposed the city purchase a 2010 Impala from Lakeside Chevrolet for the training traveling needs.
Joe Thallemer, board member, said he felt the city should not purchase either the pickup truck or a new fire department vehicle at this point.
"I think we could wait a year and get rid of both of the vehicles next year and replace them, and I am opposed to purchasing the new pickup truck," Thallemer said.
Board member Charlie Smith said the city needs to be conservative with its funds.
"I don't want to micromanage the fire department, but we need to consider the taxpayers' money," Smith said.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins made a motion for the city to trade in WFD's pickup truck, and deny the WFD 2010 Impala fire vehicle purchase.
Smith seconded the motion and Thallemer voted against the motion to approve the pickup truck purchase.
The board also approved street closures for First Friday Oct. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. including Center Street between Indiana and Lake streets; Buffalo Street between Center and Main streets; and a half block of South Buffalo Street.The board also approved temporarily closing Fort Wayne Street between Lake and Buffalo streets for the American Legion Post 49 Family Fall Festival.
The festival is Oct. 2 at the legion with a family carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Games and activities will be available for all ages.
A chili cook off will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Draft beer is $1 all day and live music will begin at 5 p.m.
The board also approved the city taking over electrical services at 240 N. Parker St. and 2380 Dubois Drive for the street lights placed during the construction of the Parker/Argonne Road project.
