WARSAW — The Warsaw Dive Team was approved to purchase a new bus during today’s Warsaw Board of Works meeting.

The Warsaw Dive Team currently uses a 1991 Ford Econoline E350 to transport the team and equipment to emergency response situations. The new vehicle proposed for purchase is a 2002 Thomas Bus.

“The current vehicle we have, when loaded with all our equipment, exceeds the gross weight by about 2,800 pounds,” said Detective Sergeant R.J. Nethaway. “The bus would allow us to put all our equipment on there so we don’t have to load and unload equipment depending on the type of scene. It would all be stored on the dive vehicle which would increase out response time.”

Kerlin Bus Sales has offered a trade in value on the old van for $3,000. This would make the cost to purchase the new bus $3,000. The offer proposed by Kerlin Bus Sales was very generous to the Warsaw Police Department. Kerlin Bus Sales has also agreed to allow the dive team to keep the van until all necessary improvements are made to allow the bus to fit the team’s needs. This ensures that the dive team will not be without a vehicle for any period of time.

The board approved the purchase of the new bus.

Larry Plummer, Superintendent of Warsaw Parks Department presented the 2017 Warsaw-Wayne Township contract. The township has provided $75,000 in exchange for the parks department operating and managing the parks and proving summer recreational programs for residents of the township. The contract amount is higher than previous years. The contract was approved.

Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa provided the board with eleven contracts for the Central Parks Concert Series. The contracts range from $525 to $2,500 with 100 percent of the funding provided by grants. The board approved all contracts. An agreement was also approved that allows the concerts to be moved to Lakeview Middle School in case of inclement weather.

City Planner Jeremy Skinner presented an amendment to the Husky Trail project. INDOT has agreed to provide additional funds due to the addition of the roundabout to the project. The cost of the addition and funds provided were approved to be added to the project. A pay application was also approved to provide INDOT with the city’s portion of the project cost. Overall, the project will cost $2.53 million with Warsaw’s portion being around $700,000.

Mayor Joseph Thallemer noted the advantage of INDOT projects is the major help with funding, but the disadvantage is the process takes a little longer.

In other news:

• Pay applications were approved for engineering on the Market Street and Buffalo Street projects.
• Four employees were approved to attend the Purdue Road School and a public works employee was approved to attend a certification program on traffic signals.
• A new part-time electrician was approved for hire with WWTU.