Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw will soon be "on the map" of environmental cleanups, building inspector Pam Kennedy told the Board of Public Works today.
Using a grant from the Indiana Development Finance Authority, the city will soon begin a determination study on the cost to clean up the abandoned Gatke Corp. property at 2321 W. Winona Ave.
"This will be one of the largest asbestos cleanup sites in the country," Kennedy said.
The board approved $23,250 with Quality Environmental Professionals Inc. of Indianapolis to conduct phase two of the site investigation activities. Phase one involved researching a detailed history of the site.
When the two-month investigation is completed, a comprehensive cleanup cost estimate will be available for the property, Kennedy added.
The Gatke Corp. manufactured asbestos products until 1990. One of the firm's main customers was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The site was abandoned in 1993.
Once a detailed cleanup cost is determined, the city will work with the county to forgive the approximate $300,000 in back property taxes that are due on the property and to find an investor willing to take over the site and bear the cost of the cleanup.
"We've had several investors express an interest in the site because it already has all the infrastructure available to it for an industrial use," Kennedy said.
In other business, the board agreed to revise the city's policy for employees injured on the job.
The current policy requires employees suffering any workplace injury that requires more than simple first aid to address, such as a cut, be sent to Medstat for a checkup. Failure to do so could delay or forfeit an employee's worker's compensation claim.
"This came up a year ago when someone didn't go to the doctor when they should have, and then there was a question of who was to pay - worker's compensation or the employee's medical insurance," said Mayor Ernie Wiggins. "We need to decide who makes the determination of what type of injury requires a trip to Medstat.
"I have a problem with mandating an employee go to Medstat when they don't want to go," he added. "And, it would drive up our 'experienced mod' costs."
The city's contract with Medstat is based in part on the number of visits city employees receive treatment.
Clerk-treasurer Elaine Call said that if the injury involves bones, joints, back or neck, it should be mandatory the employee go to Medstat before returning to work.
"This will prevent us from having to pay more later if a problem arises or if the employee aggravates the injury when at home," she said.
The board agreed to revise the policy to require any injury experienced on the job be reported to the department head, who will have the discretion on whether to mandate that the employee go to Medstat. An accident report will still be required for any injury.
The board also approved a $3,800 contract with K&M Asphalt Sealing for the resurfacing of the basketball courts at Boggs Industrial Park, and $3,100 in contracts for performers at the Cinco De Mayo celebration May 2 at Central Park.
