WARSAW — Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety members began action on right-of-way acquisitions on the Husky Trail Project and approved an agreement with Westhaven Estates for sewage treatment. The actions were taken during the first meeting of the board for 2016.

The Husky Trail Project is entering its final stages with the city now actively acquiring parcels necessary for road improvements. The first five parcels were presented for purchase. There are a total of 18 parcels needed for the project. Parcels will be purchased from Steve and Sonya Aston for $15,395; Prism Properties, $11,590; Bryan Brooks, $15,975; Bowen Apartments, $500; and Warsaw Family Worship Center, $4,270.

Jeremy Skinner, city planner, said the city has gone through the engineering and right-of-way acquisition services, leading up to the actual acquisitions. The goal is to let the contract on the project in August, at the earliest. The state requires a six-month waiting period after the acquisitions are made before any bids are let on such a project.

In a related matter the city accepted a resolution by the Warsaw Community School Corporation conveying certain portions of its Harrison School property for the project. The city, in return, will be providing sidewalks, street lighting, a turn lane into the school, and pay for the relocation of the fencing, signs and other school infrastructure in the parcels.

Westhaven Approved For Sewer

Skinner stated an agreement, in the works with Westhaven Estates for several years, has been reached. Communication began after Indiana Department of Environmental Management would not issue a new sewage treatment permit after Westhaven did not meet requirements. IDEM noted the logical solution was for the park to connect to the city system. The final agreement was presented by Skinner. A few key aspects are:

• Pay the current city’s effluent rate per 1,000 gallons of $4.71, including a monthly base charge of $277.15.
• Purchase a capacity of 35,000 gallons per day and pay upfront fees of $231,040. These fees pertain to the cost associated with the current collection system and plant capacity. A penalty will be imposed if the daily use exceeds the 35,000 gallons per day.

During other business BOW officials approved the hiring of Katherine Morrisroe to re-design and illustrate the fire department’s public education materials at a cost of $270. Approximately 2,100 10-page books are distributed to kindergarten and first-graders as well as those youngsters who visit the fire station.

Agreements with Center and Winona Lake associations and Pike Lake Preservation Association were approved, with the city paying $2,500 to each association for the continued prevention, conservation and maintenance of the lakes. The agreements are identical, as is the cost, as years past.

Approval was given for the parks department to sign a nine-month agreement with Anderson Property Management, Warsaw, to care for 21 urns and 18 satellite beds at Central Park. The cost is $1,888.88 per month or $16,999.92 for the nine months. The company will be responsible for planting and maintaining those areas from May through November.

An agreement was also accepted with Wayne Township to give the parks and recreation department $72,500 for 2016. These funds are used to offset the rent received from the Kosciusko County Council On Aging and Aged for use of the Pete Thorn Center.

Other action included:

• Approved an agreement with Lawrence Clifford in the amount of $8,200 for code hearing services
• Approved payment of $9,892.88 for engineering services to American Structurepoint Inc., Indianapolis, for the Buffalo Street Redevelopment Project
• Approved payments of $1,821.90 and $5,335 to A&Z Engineering, Fort Wayne, for engineering services and right-of-way acquisition services.