August 2, 2019 at 4:46 p.m.
City to get new warning sirens
System has had frequent problems this year
City to get new warning sirens
Portland will be getting a new tornado warning system.
Board of works members Jerry Leonhard, Bill Gibson and Mayor Randy Geesaman voted unanimously Thursday to replace the current system at a cost of nearly $70,000.
“They (the three sirens) have been down quite a bit this spring,” said Portland police chief Nathan Springer.
The current system was installed in 1998 and has been plagued with problems this spring. It is tested weekly, but it is not audible in some neighborhoods.
Board of works members Jerry Leonhard, Bill Gibson and Mayor Randy Geesaman voted unanimously Thursday to replace the current system at a cost of nearly $70,000.
“They (the three sirens) have been down quite a bit this spring,” said Portland police chief Nathan Springer.
The current system was installed in 1998 and has been plagued with problems this spring. It is tested weekly, but it is not audible in some neighborhoods.
“I think for safety’s sake we need to go with it,” said Gibson.
The new system, which should be more audible throughout Portland, is being acquired from ERS Wireless, Fort Wayne, at a cost of $67,803 and an annual maintenance agreement of $9,540. The sirens will be replaced over a three-day period.
The board also unanimously approved the hiring of a new police officer and new radio officer and the purchase of a new police car.
At Springer’s recommendation, the city will acquire a Dodge Durango from Fuqua Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep of Dunkirk at a cost of $27,540.
Fuqua had quoted a Dodge Charger at $21,877, but Springer recommended the SUV instead.
The other quote was for a Ford Explorer from Moser Motors of Portland with a price tag of $32,560.
The new vehicle will replace one with more than 113,000 miles and a failed transmission.
Also on Springer’s recommendation, the board approved the hiring of Jeff Hopkins as a new full-time police officer. Hopkins, a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, has been an officer with Dunkirk Police Department.
The board also approved the hiring of Mindy Stephenson as radio officer.
She is familiar with the department’s computer software and has been working in a similar role in Randolph County.
In other business, the board:
•Approved a reimbursement agreement with police officer Jagg Nunez that protects the city’s investment in sending him to the law enforcement academy.
•Approved a water bill adjustment of $100.17 related to a leak at 309 E. Third St. Details of the leak have been verified, and the adjustment qualifies under city policy.
The new system, which should be more audible throughout Portland, is being acquired from ERS Wireless, Fort Wayne, at a cost of $67,803 and an annual maintenance agreement of $9,540. The sirens will be replaced over a three-day period.
The board also unanimously approved the hiring of a new police officer and new radio officer and the purchase of a new police car.
At Springer’s recommendation, the city will acquire a Dodge Durango from Fuqua Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep of Dunkirk at a cost of $27,540.
Fuqua had quoted a Dodge Charger at $21,877, but Springer recommended the SUV instead.
The other quote was for a Ford Explorer from Moser Motors of Portland with a price tag of $32,560.
The new vehicle will replace one with more than 113,000 miles and a failed transmission.
Also on Springer’s recommendation, the board approved the hiring of Jeff Hopkins as a new full-time police officer. Hopkins, a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, has been an officer with Dunkirk Police Department.
The board also approved the hiring of Mindy Stephenson as radio officer.
She is familiar with the department’s computer software and has been working in a similar role in Randolph County.
In other business, the board:
•Approved a reimbursement agreement with police officer Jagg Nunez that protects the city’s investment in sending him to the law enforcement academy.
•Approved a water bill adjustment of $100.17 related to a leak at 309 E. Third St. Details of the leak have been verified, and the adjustment qualifies under city policy.
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