Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Fire Department has been notified about a grant award totaling $95,400 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, however, neither official notification nor money has been forwarded.
The fire department originally asked for $450,000 last winter for a permanent training facility. Later chief Matt Warren learned the grant would be geared toward more fire operations and firefighter safety.
He intends to spend the money on a "burn building" and a "Swede flashover chamber."
Warsaw board of works members were reminded Friday of the 10 percent match required to use the funds.
The grant awarded to Warsaw is one of the largest awarded in the fifth and sixth round of announcements.
The board tabled a decision to advertise in the Kosciusko County Convention-Visitors bureau vacation planner.
The price for a one page advertisement is $1,970 and last year the city purchased this option.
Warsaw mayor Ernie Wiggins said "To be brutally honest if the CVB isn't going to support the CCAC to the same extent they did last year, then I'd rather give this money to the CCAC."
In other business the board:
• Accepted a $500 grant from Wal-Mart Foundation, which will be used to purchase trees for the parks department.
• Approved a $1,000 Pro Audio Services contract for sound rental and backline for the Celebrate Latin Culture event Sept. 28.
Also approved was a GBC media contract in the amount of $225 to advertise the event.
• Approved one of two Petro GM Showplace quotes for a street department truck in the amount of $26,357. Three other quotes were received for the 3/4 ton truck, another from Petro's for $27,117; Lakeside Chevy, $28,697 and Bob Wysong Chevy, $29,754.
• Approved purchase of a printer from BIT Computers Inc., of North Manchester, for the sewage collection office, as requested by Jane Edmond.
• Approved Jason Finch as a new Oakwood Cemetery employee.
• Removed an insurance clause from Larry Clifford's code enforcement hearing officer contract, as recommended by city attorney Mike Valentine and approved by Clifford.
Valentine advised the board Clifford's license to practice law will be suspended for six months beginning in October. This does not affect his hearing officer status because being an attorney is not a requirement of the position.
Clifford is not suspended for any moral issue, Valentine said. "He didn't attend to a matter" during a recent court case.
• Heard downtown cleanup day is set for Oct. 16.
Board of works members are Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith.
