By JESSE DAVIS
THE GOSHEN NEWS
GOSHEN —
The Goshen Police Department is getting two new officers.
Nappanee police officer Jeremy Hooley and Goshen reserve officer Tyler Huser were approved for employment at the police department during Monday’s meeting of the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety. Hooley will be replacing long-time Goshen officer and former assistant chief Mike McCloughen, who is retiring near the end of September. Huser will replace Patrolman Bob Warstler, who is scheduled to go on disability leave in November.
After the meeting, Police Chief Wade Branson explained why the Nappanee officer was chosen to replace McCloughen.
“Since he’s already a police officer, we thought we’d give him the first shot,” Branson said. “He’s a good guy.”
Branson expects both officers to be sworn in sometime in October. Hiring of the pair is conditional upon Public Employee Retirement Fund approval.
Neighborhood Stabilization Project
The board approved construction agreements for two additional properties for the Neighborhood Stabilization Project.
According to Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator Rhonda Yoder, all NSP grant funds must be obligated by Sept. 10, and those funds that are not obligated by the deadline could be redistributed to other grantees. The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority requested additional proposals for funds in the case that should happen, and one was submitted for the Goshen project for the properties at 701 and 707 N. Fifth St.
If the requested funds — totaling $312,398 — are awarded, they must be immediately obligated, and the pre-approved contracts will allow that to happen.
Road closure
A prior approval from the board allowed the intersection of First Street and Wilkinson Street to be closed Monday through today for Niblock Excavating, but due to circumstances, requested the closure be approved through Wednesday. The board gave approval to the closure, as well as an additional closure of the intersection Sept. 7 for connection to a manhole.
Paving quotes opened
The board opened bids for the 2010 asphalt paving program. Bids were submitted by Walsh & Kelly in the amount of $293,227.05, Rieth-Riley Construction in the amount of $296,723.55 and Niblock Excavating in the amount of $239,257.25. The bids were referred to the engineering department for a recommendation.
Other business
• A contract with W.A. Jones was approved to remove a sweeper body from the truck chassis and install a 12-foot dump bed in its place was approved at a fixed fee of $11,739, with work to be completed within 45 days of the company receiving the truck chassis from the city.
• A contract with Goshen Plumbing & Heating to replace the air conditioning system at City Hall’s clerk-treasurer area was approved at a fixed fee of $3,665, with work to be complete by Sept. 17.
• A contract with Brads-Ko Engineering & Surveying to stake an easement boundary for the combined sewer overflow river crossing project at a not-to-exceed cost of $750.
• The Board of Public Works and Safety meeting scheduled for Monday, Sept. 6, has been moved to Friday, Sept. 3, to be held at 2 p.m. in the Police and Courts Building, 111 E. Jefferson St.
