Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Friday approved two Warsaw Police Department promotions and a replacement.
The board accepted a request to promote WPD Patrol Officer Brandon Zartman to corporal of police effective Dec. 13.
The corporal promotion board met Dec. 1 and interviewed three officers for the position of corporal of police.
Zartman's salary will be increased from $1,755.89 to $1,827.90 bi-weekly effective Jan. 1.
The board also accepted a request for Detective Lee Ann Richardson to be promoted from the detective rank to detective sergeant effective Dec. 13.
Richardson's salary will be increased from $2,015.40 bi-weekly to $2,038.48 bi-weekly.
A request also was approved for Christopher Anderson, Milford, to be hired as a WPD patrol officer to replace former WPD probationary patrol officer Joseph Klaehn, who resigned Nov. 6. Anderson's salary will be $1,410.02 bi-weekly and he will begin his duties Dec. 21.In other business, board members Charlie Smith and Joe Thallemer approved take-home vehicle requests for 2010 for city department heads with scrutiny.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins abstained from the vote because he uses a take-home vehicle.
Thallemer said he had concerns with take-home vehicles.
"I want to make sure that in this take-home program our taxpayers are getting their bang for their buck," Thallemer said.
He said he thinks emergency service calls should be documented on off hours for those who use take-home vehicles.
"I am trying to balance the type of vehicle with the type of emergency services that are provided, but I still have some issues with take- home vehicles," Thallemer said.
He requested those who have take-home vehicles to document the use especially when there is after-hours use of the vehicles.
"I don't look at take-home vehicles as just a benefit, but a service to our community and taxpayers," Thallemer said.
He said the city needs to continue to closely watch how take-home vehicles are being used.
"The more information we have to justify the need for take-home vehicles, the easier it is for me to make a decision on it," Thallemer said. "I know as a taxpayer I appreciate when there are emergencies and personnel can be there quickly, but you have to take a look at the extra time it will take to pick the vehicle up at the department versus coming straight from the house with the vehicle."
Take-home vehicles were approved for Cemetery Sexton Hal Heagy, Wiggins, Warsaw Parks Department Superintendent Jon Garber, and Warsaw Parks Department Director Larry Plummer.
Other take-home vehicle requests approved were for Warsaw Street Superintendent Lacy Francis, Street Department Assistant Superintendent David Tacket, Street Department Supervisor Randy Ingle and Warsaw Wastewater Treatment Utility Facility Manager Brian Davison, Assistant Utility Manager Larry Hyden and utility facility electrician James Martin.
Also during the meeting, Davison reported Warsaw's Wastewater Treatment Utility Facility received a lab excellence safety award Nov. 19 from Indiana Water Environment Association.
