Trustees approve police and fire agreements

by Dan Holland

Oct. 5 township trustees meeting

Richfield Township trustees approved resolutions for a three-year agreement with Richfield Village for fire/EMS and police services in the township.

Under the agreement, the township will incur a 6% increase in 2024 over the current year’s cost of $609,505 for fire/EMS and $791,876 for police and a 3% increase in 2025 and 2026. The increases will cost the township $646,075 for fire/EMS and $839,389 for police services in 2024.

“Those are excellent services that our residents really value, and we want to continue them,” said Trustee Chair Janet Jankura. “I want to thank the team that worked on putting that together: Trustee Don Laubacher, Mayor Michael Wheeler, village council, the police and fire chiefs, Mindy Lott, Laurie Pinney and all who worked on that contract.”

“These agreements are great for both parties; the village receives helpful revenue and township residents receive the very best police and fire protection. We had other options; for example, some townships in Summit County use the county sheriff’s office for police protection. But I don’t believe those other options are nearly as good for our residents,” added Trustee Vice-Chair Don Laubacher. 

Zoning

Zoning Inspector Patricia Ryan shared with the trustees that the Ohio Department of Development is offering grants through its Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program for the demolition of commercial or residential buildings, with the program picking up 75% of the cost.

Jankura noted that Ryan, who was appointed zoning inspector in April 2021, will be retiring at the end of the year. “We wish you the absolute best,” she told Ryan. “We are sad since you’ve done such a great job for us and it will be tough to replace you. The public will be seeing the position posted and we will be looking at candidates, and it will be published in newspapers and networking.”

“I want to thank you for the opportunity to work for the township,” said Ryan. “It’s been great, and I’ve enjoyed the job immensely. You all made me feel very welcome, and I’m thankful for that. And I’ll do everything I can to make it an easy and efficient transition for the new person.”

Fiscal

Fiscal Officer Laurie Pinney shared that the township accrued close to $10,000 in interest income from its STAR Ohio account in September. She also reminded attendees of the upcoming Nov. 7 general election, which will have a number of state, county and local issues on the ballot, including a .5 mill renewal levy for the Richfield Joint Recreation District for parks and recreational purposes.

In other action, trustees approved:

• A resolution prohibiting the use of engine brakes on state Route 303 within Richfield Township.

• A motion to increase a purchase order for a 2023 Ford F-250 with a plow package by $1,735. The total cost of the vehicle being purchased from Valley Ford Truck is $77,854.

• A motion to sell a 2011 Ford F-250 with plow package to RJRD for $3,500.

• A motion to increase a purchase order by $858 and approve payment of $1,246 from the gas tax fund to Wichert Insurance as a then-and-now certificate for insurance coverage on the new Ford F-250 truck.

• A motion to pay a second invoice for $208,125 to Barbicas Construction Company for the 2023 township paving program. Total cost of the program, which included paving 1.74 miles of roadway in the Glencairn Forest subdivision, was approximately $671,000. Federal ARPA funds in the amount of $165,886 were applied.

• A motion authorizing the fiscal officer to transfer $5,000 from the general fund to augment the township’s health reimbursement account. ∞