Police officer hired

The city of Portland is getting one new police officer and possibly another.

Members of the Portland Board of Works met Thursday morning and voted to hire Caleb Lutes, 22, Indianapolis, to work as a full-time patrolman in the city.

Board members also voted to tentatively hire Nathan Johnsman, 23, Coldwater, Ohio, to serve on the police department. Johnsman will only be hired if the city receives the federal stimulus money for which it has applied. If approved, the city will receive $204,000 to cover the cost of the officer's salary for three years, the officer's pension, training costs and any additional fees. As a requirement of the stimulus grant, the city would have to retain the officer for at least four years.

City clerk-treasurer Randy Geesaman said the city could know as soon as a week if it has been approved for the stimulus funds. The city also could find out as late as Sept. 30, he said. Board members stipulated that Johnsman will not be hired if the city does not receive the stimulus money.

Lutes, a former Portland resident, is the son of

Casey Lutes and Marla Lutes, both of Portland. He is a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and has been working for the Indiana State Police at the state capital building. He plans to move to Portland.

The city currently has a policy in place that new police officers that have not graduated form the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy must remain on the police department for at least three years. Those who do not stay that long must refund the city for the fees to attend the academy.

Lutes is replacing officer Ryan Weir, who left the police department on May 12 to work for the Elkhart Police Department. He had worked for the city since 2006. The academy policy was approved after he was hired.

Also Thursday, board members approved another change order for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project.

The total cost of the eight unexpected expenses is $64,252.71. The city's portion of the bill is $12,850.54. Most of the expense comes from work that had to be done underneath the railroad crossing on Wayne Street. A combination sewer line had to be replaced.

City officials plan to meet with county officials next week to see if the county will reimburse the city because the line that had to be replaced was a county-owned tile.

In a related matter, Herb Berg of Bonar Group, told board members that about 13 streetlights have been installed, as part of the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project. Also, sidewalks are being installed on Wayne Street and Boundary Pike. All of the work is expected to be completed in September.[[In-content Ad]]