Joel Updike’s children, Karstynn and Kaylea, pin their father after he receives his oath of office.

WARSAW — Joel Updike was sworn in as Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory’s newest firefighter during the Warsaw Board of Works meeting held this morning, Nov. 16.

Updike has completed his one-year probationary period as of this week. He is now a full-time firefighter with the department. The room was full of fellow firefighters and Updike’s family as Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer performed the oath of office. Updike’s children, Karstynn and Kaylea, were invited to participate in the process and pinned their father after the oath.

The board approved awarding the bid for the Airport Industrial Park sanitary sewer project. The bids were received at the last Board of Works meeting. HRP Construction, South Bend, was awarded the project for $6,090,000. City Planner Jeremy Skinner noted that all bids were reviewed and HRP Construction offered the lowest bid and fulfilled all bid requirements. The bonds for the project were sold on Wednesday, Nov. 14, and will be closed on Dec. 5.

Two pay applications to Selge Construction for the Buffalo Street project were approved. Skinner noted that almost all of the city’s work on the project is completed. They have a few final landscaping items to complete and will need to stripe the pavement. The developer plans to start on his portion of the project once the final demolition of buildings in the area is complete.

In other news:

• A subordination agreement with Bennie Banghart through the Housing Authority was approved.
• An agreement for Cottage Watchman Security Systems was approved for Warsaw-Wayne Fire Station 3. This agreement was previously approved by the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory board.
• An agreement for the Warsaw Parks Department for the first concert of the Central Park Concert Series was approved. This contract is for The Indigos to perform on May 24, in conjunction with the Lakes Festival.
• An agreement for Scott Reust, future city attorney, to start taking over litigation work was approved. This is part of the transition process as current City Attorney Mike Valentine will hand off his position at the end of the year.

Pictured, from left, are Kaylea, Joel and Karstynn Updike.

Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer, far left, performed the oath of office.