Car, equipment purchase made (1/15/04)

Purchases of a new city police car and equipment for the wastewater treatment plant were approved Wednesday by the Portland Board of Works.

Board members Linda Kennedy and Mayor Bruce Hosier approved the purchase of a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria for the city’s police department from Les Wenning Motors Inc., Fort Recovery, at a cost of $17,314. That price includes a trade-in allowance of $2,600 for a 2000 Crown Victoria with 98,000 miles.

Board member Bob McCreery was absent from Wednesday morning’s meeting.

Les Wenning had the low net bid.

Other bids were submitted by Fincannon Ford-Mercury of Hartford City, Shifferly Dodge of Decatur and Ken Kunkle Chevrolet of Portland.

The board also approved the $15,053 purchase of new blowers and motors for the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

According to information from wastewater treatment plant superintendent Bob Brelsford, the new equipment will save approximately $6,000 annually on electricity.

The equipment was purchased from Powered Equipment & Repair of Terra Haute.

Also Wednesday, the board approved April Wright and Tyler Reidt as Portland volunteer firefighters.

Their hiring brings the number of volunteers to 24.

The board also approved a request from Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association president Ken Doherty to close North Morton Street by the association’s campground entrance from Saturday, Aug. 21, at 9 a.m. to Monday, Aug. 30, at noon for the group’s annual antique engine and tractor show.

Also, the board voted not to allow members of the public to lease the meeting room at the Portland Fire Station.

City clerk-treasurer Barbara Blackford said Wednesday that the board agreed that because of insurance and maintenance reasons the building will only be used for city functions.[[In-content Ad]]