Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
During Warsaw's Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Human Resources Director Jennifer Whitaker introduced a proposed mascot for the city's safety committee.
To coincide with a new manual for all city employees, Whitaker presented to the board members a sketch for Betsy the Cow, the animal suggested to promote safety awareness.
Whitaker said the cow could be used to help educate employees as to how to handle hazardous circumstances. Plans to place the cow in "compromising situations" will be used to specify and focus on desired employee reactions and procedures.
"The department should have the cow with eye goggles, a safety vest and steel-toed boots on," member Jerry Patterson said.
No decision was made regarding the mascot, but the board did approve the safety manual for city employees.
The street department's request for an auction was approved as well. The department will now be allowed to obtain quotes from auctioneers for items labeled "surplus."
Dave Henderson, of Warsaw Wastewater Works Department, reported the need to remove dead trees affected by their close proximity to the sewer system. The board approved bids offered by Superior Tree Service for the removal and Creative Gardens Nursery for the installation of five white pine trees to replace the area.
The board also:
• Approved a request by Warsaw Community Schools regarding purchasing ice melting materials for the coming winter.
• Approved Warsaw Parks Department contracts with Super Seal for $5,200 for the maintenance of city parking lots, and TruGreen-ChemLawn for $1,600 for weed and insect control in and around Central Park.
Contracts presented by the department for artists and musicians to perform at Celebracion Latina scheduled for Sept. 10 also were approved.
• Approved a contract between the Warsaw Fire Department and Wayne Township, allowing the township to pay the city of Warsaw $110,000 for fire and EMS-related services in 2006. This total reflects a 25 percent increase from 2005 contract amount of $96,000.
• Approved a grant award from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute allowing the Warsaw Police Department to receive $21,840 in federal funding.
• Approved travel requests for police officers Allen Danko and Brian Roberts for a scheduled trip to Indianapolis for criminal patrol school. Mayor Ernie Wiggins also will receive travel allowance for an annual Indiana Association of Cities and Towns conference in Fort Wayne.
Present members were Wiggins, Patterson and Charlie Smith. The next board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2 at 10:30 a.m. in city hall.
