Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Friday swore in two Warsaw Police Department patrolmen and approved a promotion at Warsaw Fire Department.
WPD patrolman Jonathan Rice and Phillip Reed were hired March 23, 2009, to fill vacant positions at WPD. They filled the vacancies left by Brad Kellar and Jaime de la Fuente.
Kellar resigned Nov. 2, 2008, and now serves as a patrolman for Winona Lake Police Department.
De La Fuente, who moved away and then moved back to Warsaw, was re-hired as a patrol officer to replace Tony Faucett who retired January 2010.
"Jonathan and Phillip were hired a year ago as probationary patrol officers and swearing them in recognizes that they have graduated from the police academy," said Jennifer Whitaker, Warsaw human resources director.
Rice's bi-weekly salary is $1,644.16 and Reed's bi-weekly salary is $1,628.19.
Also during the meeting, the board approved promoting Brooke Murphy from Warsaw Fire Department lieutenant to captain. His new bi-weekly salary will be $1,837.89. Murphy has been with Warsaw Fire Department since Jan. 1, 2001.
The captain's position was vacated by Kerry Stogsdill who resigned from the position March 21. Murphy will fill the position vacated by Stogsdill.
Whitaker announced Diane Grose, Oakwood Cemetery secretary, will retire May 28.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins also informed the board that there are two openings for a Republican and Democrat to serve on the Warsaw Housing Authority board. Those interested in filling the vacancies are advised to contact the mayor's office.
The board also approved Warsaw Police Department applying for a $9,270 Indiana Criminal Justice Institute grant for new audio and video equipment in its five interview rooms.
The board also approved Warsaw Fire Department applying for a $3,000 K21 Health Foundation Grant, a $2,000 Kosciusko County Community Foundation Grant and a $1,500 grant from the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation & Visitor Commission Bureau for funds to support Play It Safe Family Safety Day.
The board also:
n Approved a request by Warsaw Street Department to award a salt bid to Cargill for $66.20 per ton.
n Approved a request from Lacy Francis, Warsaw Street Department superintendent, for the department to purchase a salt truck from Selking International to replace a 1984 Ford with 484,186 miles. The 1987 International the city will purchase costs $9,500 and has 386,940 miles.
n Approved a motion for the street department to obtain quotes on a new Bobcat and get a quote on a rotating program for a Bobcat Excavator and Bobcats.
n Approved a $2,000 equipment contract between the Warsaw Parks Department and Stage-Pro, Inc. for the park's department's classic rock concert with a performance by Foghat that is June 18 at 8 p.m. at Glover Pavilion.
n Approved a motion to give $2,000 to the Kosciusko County Historical Society for three year. The funds will be used for a photographic field survey and GIS data input of Oakwood Cemetery.
n Approved street closures for the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club car show that is in downtown Warsaw May 22.
n Tabled a request to waive unpaid sewage bills. The wastewater payment office discovered there have been underbilled apartment units. The board will discuss the issues at its next meeting.
