A new firefighter is joining the ranks of the Crawfordsville Fire Department.
Gary Villines was sworn in Wednesday to the department following a Board of Public Works and Safety meeting. Villines previously served as an emergency medical technician with S.T.A.R. Ambulance Service.
Villines said he wanted to be an active, contributing member of the community, protect property and life and set an example of public service for his children. He and his wife have four sons: Hunter, 11, Silas, 6, Ford, 4, and Jack, 2.
The 2006 Newton High School graduate has served in the U.S. Army National Guard and is a combat veteran. He’s also worked at LSC Communications.
In regular business, the board awarded a bid to Fletcher Chrysler of Franklin for three new police vehicles and four trade-ins. The bid totaled $57,274 after trade.
A hearing on an unsafe building order for a house at 306 Whitlock Ave. was tabled until April 14, giving time for owners Jeffrey and Loralie Schroeder to demolish the home.
Code enforcement officer Barry Lewis said the owners have arranged for the demolition by W Enterprises but a date has not been set.
In other business, the board:
• Approved agreements with W Enterprises totaling $53,470 for the Sugar Creek dam removal project. The local company was awarded the project last week.
• Approved a request from Stu Weliever to remove a tree in front his law office at 112 E. Main St.
