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A Warsaw home on Union Street "exploded," Warsaw building inspector Pam Kennedy reported at the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Thursday.
"We got called out because a house exploded," Kennedy said. "It didn't really explode, what happened was the jackposts in the basement were rusted and it fell."
Kennedy said four metal jackposts in the basement collapsed. She said an installation of four 4-inch-by-4-inch support beams need to be installed in the basement.
Pete Gross General Contracting, East CR 250N, Warsaw, signed a contract to replace the collapsed jackposts for $120. Kennedy said the money will be taken out of the unsafe building fund. Board members approved the installation fee.
In other business:
• Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the Warsaw engineering building needs a new heating system.
Board members reviewed proposals from Quine Heating & Cooling Service and Collier's Heating & Air Conditioning both of Warsaw.
"Lacy's (Francis) probably going to be moving up the street department into those offices and at that point in time we're probably going to be removing some of those walls that are in there," Wiggins said.
He also said the board has determined "that we're going to just look at these two proposals."
Wiggins said city council member Bill Rhoades "looked into these things and they're not quite apples for apples."
He said Rhoades' recommendation "is probably to go ahead and do the one with Quine."
"When you consider what he's (Quine) putting in, he's probably actually $800 or $900 more," Rhoades said. "The liner has to go in that chimney. That's a must which wasn't included in Collier's (proposal)."
Rhoades also said he didn't think "at this point you (board members) should even think about zoning because eventually there's going to be changes made. The unit that Quine is putting in, with the type of motor and so forth, is cheaper to run and also has the capability of developing the air flow anyway at any given point it's put in."
Board member Paul Siebenmorgen asked Rhoades if Quine's proposal was a "better deal in terms of value?"
Rhoades said he believes it is.
Board members unanimously approved Quine's proposal.
• Wiggins also recognized Warsaw Police Capt. Craig Allebach.
"I wish Craig Allebach the best of luck in his new position," Wiggins said.
Wiggins said Allebach has "done a good job for the city of Warsaw and I'm sure that he will do an excellent job for the town of Winona Lake, also."
Wiggins said a more formal ceremony will take place at the May 15 City Council meeting.
• Kennedy presented two liens to be released. Board members approved the release of $1,000 liens for Wade Frauhiger, 209 N. Maple St., and Dallas and Sandra Kimes, 1413 E. Jefferson St. Kennedy said both owners have complied with the terms set.
• A change order was made to a contract signed between Pete Gross General Contracting and Swinger Garage, West Winona Ave.
City planner Jeff Noffsinger said he met with the contractor, Pete Gross.
Changes agreed to be made include changing flush type garage doors to panel type at no charge, adding one row of glass in each door at an additional charge of $260, and changing a walk-in garage door to 6 feet, 2-inches wide by 7 feet high, at the owner's expense for the difference.
The previous contract amount totaled $8,047.43. The revised contract amount is $8,367.43, a difference of $320.
Board members approved the revised contract with Pete Gross General Contracting.
• Wiggins said the city employee Lutheran Preferred ID cards need updating.
"Lutheran Preferred changed their address," Wiggins said. "(They) passed the cost through to CoreSource and in effect passed the cost through to us."
The cost of reprinting the ID cards is 60 cents each. Wiggins said it is his opinion to go ahead and pay the 60 cents per card.
"We have other employees that are asking for more than one or two cards," Wiggins said.
Employees request additional cards for family members.
Wiggins said they will be "charging a $1 fee for each additional card if the employees want them."
Board members approved both fees.
• Wiggins said Cpl. Tony Faucett will be promoted to Detective Sgt., effective April 30.
Faucett's salary will increase to $1,360.29 biweekly.
Board members approved Faucett's promotion.
• New Warsaw Fire Chief Matt Warren was recognized and former Warsaw Fire Chief Kenny Shepherd officially assumed the position of driver.
"Kenny and Matt both feel that it's in the best interest that Kenny assume the position of driver," Wiggins said. "This indicates, for the record, that he is willing to do so, even though he is going to be compensated at the captain's salary."
"Kenny and I've talked about it and he didn't have a problem with it," Warren said. "Nobody's expressed any problem."
Board members approved Shepherd's new title as driver.
The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety includes: Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Paul Siebenmorgen and Jerry Patterson.
