On Friday, the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety gave the initial approving vote for the purchase of new air packs and air cylinders for the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory. That vote, however, was contingent upon the approval of the Warsaw Common Council.

Scott air packs

This evening, in a brief regular meeting of the common council, WWFT Fire Chief Mike Brubaker offered a condensed version of his proposal, noting the $239,740 purchase will save the city money in the long run, and by approving the purchase for this year, it will allow for cuts in the 2013 budget.

The complete details of the WWFT purchase can be seen here.

With the council’s approval, the WWFT’s 2013 budget can be reduced. Funds from the fire department’s health insurance and salaries/wages funds were transferred by the council tonight to allow for the purchase.

Also approved during tonight’s meeting were Line 2 budget cuts for this year’s budget. A total of $1,081,880 from the combined aviation, cemetery, parks and recreation, fire territory and general fund was cut, meaning those are funds that were appropriated for this year but will not be spent.

In a separate matter, the council approved on first reading an ordinance reducing the speed limit on Poppy Street. The street, which has only once residence on it, is a narrow street mostly used as a short cut to Pike Lake, but the sole occupant, Larry Castle, has complained of speeding traffic and he says the presence of a deaf child nearby is reason enough to reduce the speed limit.

By recommendation of the traffic safety commission, the council approved reducing the 30 mph speed limit to 20 mph. However, to give the members of the public an opportunity to respond, the matter will be voted on a second time at the common council’s Nov. 19 meeting.

All city offices moving to the new city hall, which is located at the corner of Center and Buffalo streets in downtown Warsaw, will likely be moving into the building Nov.  29-30. The final council meeting in the current city hall chambers will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19. The Dec. 3 meeting will be in the new building.