City updates traffic safety OT policy

By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

A resolution changing the Wabash Police Department’s traffic safety overtime policy was approved April 6 by the Wabash Board of Public Board of Works and Safety.

The change was needed because the Operation Pullover program has changed its name through the

Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, which funds the program, Mayor Scott Long said.

The name of the program is now the Comprehensive Hoosier Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHHIRP).

“In order for them to continue funding the program, we have to pass the resolution,” Long said.

City Attorney Doug Lehman further explained that for officers will get the overtime they incur during the program the city must have a policy authorizing the overtime.

“Any overtime that will be paid is going to be paid out of grant money pursuant to this program,” he continued. “It’s not going to come out any appropriated money from our budget. It will be strictly from grant money. We’re simply saying that to the extent that officers are willing to participate in the program, they will be paid overtime from CHHIRP funds.

“CHHIRP won’t pay if there’s no policy authorizing officers to receive the overtime. That’s primarily because if the officers participate in it, they’re doing so on their own time, not on the city’s time.

It is overtime under the Federal

Fair Labor Standards Act, but it’s not overtime being requested by the city. It’s volunteer overtime, pursuant to a promise that they would be paid from these other funds.”

The Wabash Police Department has participated in the program for at least 20 years.

In another matter, the board approved writing off $6,494.18 in delinquent sewage bills.

The bills, from 2018 to March 2021, are primarily from individuals who have either moved away or who have died.

Ware Wimberly, WCPL Director, and Diane Randall, NMPL Director, congratulate one another on the new program. Photo provided

NM, Wabash libraries launch recipricol borrowing covenant

The North Manchester Public Library (NMPL) and the Wabash Carnegie Public Library have entered into a Local Reciprocal Borrowing Covenant for all non-resident patrons.

Once a patron has purchased a non-resident library card at one library, the Borrowing Covenant will allow non-resident patrons to sign up for an account at the other library for free. This covenant became effective on April 1.

2023 North Manchester

Public Library Fees for Nonresident Cards: One year library card — $102; six month library card - $51; three month library card - $25.50

2023 Wabash Carnegie

Public Library Fees for NonResident Cards: One-year library card - $105; nine months library card - $78.75; six months library card$52.50; three months library card - $26.25.

As a public library in the State of Indiana, both libraries receive funding through property taxes paid within the city limits. Those who live or own property inside the taxing district pay for a library card whether they ever register for one or not. However, with non-resident cards, the choice to purchase a library card is in the patron’s hands.

“Non-residents make a conscious decision to purchase a library card which is of an equivalent cost determined by a formula through the State Library,” said Diane Randall, NMPL Library Director. “We are excited to provide this value-added benefit through this strong collaboration between Wabash and NMPL to better serve those who are not within the library geographical boundaries of Wabash County.”

“Our resident patrons already had this option through the Statewide Borrowing Agreement, but now we’re able to expand our services to our non-resident patrons,” said Jeanna Hann, NMPL Adult Department Manager. “Non-resident patrons in good standing can enjoy almost full access to services from either library for the cost of just one library card. Reciprocal patrons won’t Cont. on Pg. 3.

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