By DAVE SCHULTZ
The Bluffton Fire Department will put out ads for new firefighters, with training available later this year.
Fire Chief Don Craig wanted to hold off on putting out new ads until training was scheduled in the area. He said training will be offered in September and that is why he wants to spend the money now to advertise the department’s labor needs.
The department was 13 paid on-call firefighters short after the resignation of Zack Gaskill was accepted during Tuesday’s meeting. His resignation was effective immediately.
However, the day turned out to be a wash for the department as the hiring of a new paid on-call firefighter, Bradley Nelson, was approved. Nelson is a trained firefighter who worked in the Noblesville area, Craig said, and came to Bluffton after he entered the ministry. The board — Mayor John Whicker, Scott Mentzer, and Roger Thornton — unanimously approved Nelson’s hiring.
Also Tuesday, the city’s new building commissioner made his first report on an apparent ordinance violation during Tuesday afternoon’s meeting of the Bluffton Board of Public Works and Safety.
Richard Triplett said there has been furniture in front of a house at 1021 S. Oak St. for several weeks. He said he had posted a notice in front of the house that listed options the owner or residents could use for removal.
The board members agreed to table the matter for a week to give the individuals responsible an opportunity to remove the furniture.
In other matters Tuesday:
• The board approved a request from Police Chief Kyle Randall that Tina Morris to have extended medical leave. Morris is the manager and an animal control officer at the Bluffton/Wells County Animal Shelter. She is scheduled to have a medical procedure done July 5 which will keep her out of work until January. City policy gives her an extended 10 weeks of medical leave on a one-time basis after she uses her personal medical leave. The board approved the request.
• The board tabled a decision regarding a dog being designated as a nuisance animal. A person was injured earlier this month in an encounter with the animal at the Bluffton dog park at the intersection of Market and Indiana streets. The board wanted to know the extent of the victim’s injuries before making a final decision in the case.
daves@news-banner.com
