WARSAW — Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Kosciusko commissioners meeting, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock presented a letter of intent for a hazardous materials emergency preparedness program grant that he requested approval to apply for. Rock explained that this would pay for hazardous materials response training as well as supplies. He advised the grant is a matching one. The commissioners approved Rock to apply for the grant.

Rock gave an update regarding recent grant applications, informing commissioners that he received two award letters Monday, Oct. 2.

“We received a nice one for some additional training for the district as well as approximately $97,600 for the sheriff’s department to do some training, which unfortunately is pretty timely, regarding active shooter situations,” Rock said, referencing the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas.

County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden informed commissioners that Kosciusko County was recently awarded $797,587 for the 2017 Community Crossing Matching Grant Fund program. Tilden stated this award is basically for the CR 900N project, between SR 15 and SR 19, which involves approximately seven and a half miles of road resurfacing. Tilden advised this project will be completed in 2018, from May 1 to June 30.

“We recently opened bids for two road projects in Sept. 2017 and I would like to ask the commissioners to award the CR 900N project to Phend and Brown, Milford, for their bid amount of $1,163,809.36,” Tilden stated. Commissioners approved Tilden’s recommendation.

Tilden further stated that he has an LPA contract with USI Consultants, Indianapolis, for the 2018-2021 countywide bridge inspection cycle. The commissioners approved the signing of the contract.

Brad Bishop, executive director of OrthoWorx, and OrthoWorx team member David Anderson were in attendance to give a quarterly progress report. OrthoWorx is a nonprofit formed in 2009 to preserve and expand the orthopedic industry in our area. They are based in Warsaw.

Commissioner Ron Truex inquired, “Are you pleased with the progress you’ve been making?”

“I think it’s consistent with most start-ups,” said Anderson, “I’m pleased with where we are today.”

Attorney Steve Snyder attended the meeting with a vacation request in the Hoffman Lake area. Snyder said this has been ongoing since 2014. A judgment has now been entered and all parties have consented to the judgment. The issue is now resolved, said Snyder, except that now a proper ordinance is needed vacating two areas.

County Attorney Chad Miner informed commissioners that this was the same judgment he had referenced at the Sept. 19 meeting. The commissioners unanimously approved the vacation ordinance request.

Other news:

• County Veteran Affairs Officer Rich Maron introduced the October veteran of the month, Earl Evans, to commissioners.
• The next commissioners meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10.