By Mandy McFarland Editor
NAPPANEE — As work continues at the site of the old Coppes building, different areas in need of attention have come up. The latest was addressed last Monday, Oct. 26 during the regular meeting of the Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety, when the city received a petition from owner Thomas Mast to vacate an  alleyway on the property that runs in an L-shape from Summit Street to an alley intersection, then to East Market St. Mast owns all of the property on either side of that section of alley, and there are no private residences.

Zoning Administrator Don Lehman said that all utilities in the alley run to the Coppes building, and that none of them service private residences. He also said that there are no city utilities along the alley, and that water and sewer in that area run up and down Lincoln Street to service the homes in that vicinity.
Lehman recommended the city contact each of the utilities along that alley, including electric and gas, which are not city utilities, and ask for a letter. This is just a courtesey that they have done in years past, Lehman said.
They board set a public hearing for Monday, Nov. 23 at 3:30 p.m. to vote on the petition. The meeting will be in the Council Chambers at the Nappanee Municipal Building.
Other items
•The board approved Nappanee EMS writeoffs totaling $6,739.44. EMS Director Jim Sumpter said that this is standard procedure and pertains to services like Medicare and Medicaid.
•Street Superintendent Wayne Scheumann announced that leaf collection continues, though recent rains have made it difficult some days.
•Nappanee Police Chief Mike Anglin presented a maintenance agreement with Meggitt Training Systems, Inc. to inspect and service their shooting range at $1,495. The agreement is the same as in years past and includes two service calls per year and does not include lead removal or cleaning of the filter system.
•Anglin announced the official retirement of K-9 Bear, whose handler Steve Rulli has been appointed Wa-Nee School Resource Officer. The department hopes to re-implement the K-9 program in 2010. Bear, a German Shepherd, will continue to live with Rulli and his family.