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NAPPANEE - Issues and updates from department heads made up the bulk of the Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Corporal Dana Hollar, Nappanee Police Department, talked briefly with the board about his desire to have the department participate in the statewide "Operation Pull-Over" program. This year's campaign, which begins in October and will cease in the fall of 1998, targets promotion of safety belt usage, implementation of safety seats for children, and cracking down on drunk driving.
Hollar was seeking the board's validation to apply for a grant, with the potential maximum amount of $5,000, which will be used for overtime pay for officers working on the project. Hollar will need to keep specific records of hours worked during the program, and the city pays the officers. The grant funds will, in turn, be reimbursed to the city through a process of claims.
"Operation Pull-Over" will include four specific "blitz periods" to reflect increased traffic during holidays. The bulk of the overtime hours is expected to accrue during those times.
The members approved Hollar's request to proceed with application procedures, which will allow him to submit his grant request to the state-run Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving, the group that heads up the program.
Wastewater treatment plant superintendent Phil Hochstetler's inquiry about the city's responsibility for cleaning sewers sparked some thoughts from member Tom Lehman.
The concerns stem from developments in the South Elm Street area, where a handful of residents appear to be encountering sewer problems. It was noted that the city is merely liable for the repair and maintenance of the main lines, not for the auxiliary channels connected directly to homes. Those smaller residential lines were deemed the responsibility of the homeowner.
Lehman expressed great displeasure at the possibility of setting a precedent by allowing the city to become involved with a few homeowners' sewer lines, fearing that a torrent of similar requests for cleaning would follow.
The board stated for the record that residential lines, up to the city's main sewer system, are to remain under the responsibility of homeowners.
In other business the board:
• Approved the resignation of John Phipps, police department reserve, effective May 23. Phipps' full-time job, plus his enrollment in school, made for conflicts in his department commitment.
• Paired Police Chief Ray Carich with street department superintendent Sam Adams to investigate the feasibility of installing stop signs or speed bumps in the alley near Locke Street, just north of Randolph Street. The request was made by Brian Spicher, of 351 S. Locke, who expressed concern about high traffic speeds in the residential neighborhood.
• Made official the appointment to Emergency Services of Deb Lehman, retroactive May 12. Lehman has passed all requirements for department employment, including the EMT examination.
• Heard from EMS director Jim Sumpter Jr. that the department will conduct a car wash and bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon June 14 at the station. The fund-raiser will benefit the department.
