Warsaw’s Central Park will soon see 21 new trees planted and it’s due to an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer.

The city already removed 21 ash trees that were showing signs of infestation and were, according to parks superintendent Larry Plummer, headed for certain demise. The parks department, with the approval of the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety, contracted with Dogwood Hills Tree Farm out of Middlebury, to plant 21 replacement trees at a cost of $10,315.

In all, 16 Sun Valley Red Maple trees, four Crimson King Maple trees and one Forest Pansy redbud tree will be delivered and planted prior to blooming. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer asked about the labor fees involved which Plummer confirmed is due to warranty issues. Dogwood Hills Tree Farm will deliver and plant each tree at a cost of $3,675 which assures the warranty.

The parks department also received permission to solicit quotes for construction of restroom facilities at Beyer Park. The restrooms were included in the 5-year master plan to bring restroom facilities up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Also approved was a contract with Apollo Printing out of South Bend to print the annual Recreation Guide for the parks department. Several local quotes were received, but they were either much more expensive or local printers declined to provide bids. The quote approved was for $4,625 for 12,500 guides.

In a final contract for the parks department, the B.O.W. approved a $125 expenditure to Donna Jepson to provide waterfront module training for lifeguards. Jepson will provide the certification training through the American Red Cross.

In other B.O.W. business today, the board approved agreements with Quine Freeman Heating and Air Conditioning to maintain the heating and cooling system at the Warsaw Police Department at an annual fee of $592; and an agreement with N.E.W. Inc. Heating and Cooling to maintain the Warsaw Fire Department’s heating and cooling system at an annual fee of $900.

Also approved:
Payment of $24,408.55 to RW Armstrong for the completion of the Warsaw+Winona Walk+Bike Master Plan
Purchase of a swing gate operator installed at Oakwood Cemetery for a total of $7,600. The swing gate will allow for better security at the cemetery without the use of an overnight employee.
Purchase of a Bobcat and a E55 Compact Excavator for the Public Works Department at a total cost of $26,886.
Payment of $1,200 to SLA Design for interior signage at the new city hall.
Payment of $1,700 to Scearce Rudisel Architects for desk design work in the sewage department in the new city hall.
Travel requests by the Warsaw Police Department to send 8 officers to Indianapolis overnight for narcotics investigations training. Overnight accommodations are being paid by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, with the city paying $110 each for the officers’ travel and food expenses.

The next B.O.W. meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 5.