After going through their main agenda, the West Liberty Village Council waited the arrival of Fire Chief Darin Leach to close out their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 28.
Leach gave the council information regarding the three volunteer firefighter applications he’d received, then went over issues he’s facing in the purchase of new supplied air respirators, or air packs (SCBA).
The first new firefighter he recommended was Jeremy Smith, who currently works for the Columbus fire department while he finishes the Columbus Fire Training Academy. Originally from Mechanicsburg, Smith spent 20 years working as a firefighter in California.
Leach said the second applicant is James Dalton, who works for West Liberty Lumber Company. Dalton took the level one firefighter class several years ago, but wasn’t very active.
“He’d have to go through training, and we’re not sure about his availability during the day,” Leach explained. “But he wants to get back in.”
On Leach’s recommendation, the council approved both, and the two men have been placed on a probationary status.
The third applicant is an 18-year-old student from Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. Leach plans to table his application for now with the option to bring him in for a class at some point.
As for the SCBAs, Leach said he’s narrowed down the decision to options from two companies, MSA air packs from Fire Safety Services (FSS), Huntsville, or Dragers from Howell Rescue Systems Inc., Dayton.
Initially, Leach was leaning toward Howell as their offer was at least $7,000 cheaper than FSS. However, right before Monday night’s meeting, Leach spoke with Bellefontaine Fire Chief Andy Fissel, who told Leach they’d had problems with the Drager SCBAs.
Also, according to Leach, the MSA equipment has rechargeable batteries while the Dragers use three sets of batteries. And there are issues with the warranties in replacing those battery packs.
“I have to put everything together so we can compare,” Leach said. “I was hoping to have numbers tonight, but we’re looking at $140,000 to $150,000.”
Leach will continue to investigate before giving the council his final recommendation. He later added, “We’re getting quotes from each and trying to solicit the best product for serving our department.”
Another discussion arose over the possibility of adding parental leave for fathers. Reflecting back to when his children were born, Mayor Brad Hudson said, “I think it would be great to take a few weeks off to bond with the baby.”
Besides looking into how it would work out financially, Council President Jayne Griffith said they would research what other towns are doing. They also need to consider how many staff they have and how paternity leave could further thin that out.
Hudson added, “Two weeks seems reasonable for paid dad leave,” which the other members agreed with. Councilmember Jeanette Zerkle then suggested researching guidelines.
The council will readdress the issue at a future meeting.
Cindee Boyd will retire from her position as clerk on Nov. 29. However, she has asked to be rehired on Dec. 3 as she would like to continue on for another year.
To keep things above-board, the council decided to post the open position on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and accept applications through Friday, Nov. 8.
“It’s a huge, complex job,” Griffith pointed out. Councilmember Shannon Maier stated they should still make sure it’s fairly done and others have a chance to apply.
Hudson agreed, but told Boyd, “You would be our number one pick since you’ve done the job.”
Griffith and Hudson needed to sign a letter of support to demolish the old school building since they finally have permission to tear it down. Hudson said this has “been coming a long time,” and added the timeframe will be about two years.
“The wall on the west side is caving,” Boyd told the council. “Big stones have fallen outside the building.” She said the roof is pushing the walls out.
According to Hudson, they’ve had to barricade the area a few times, saying it was bad enough three to four years ago. “It’s so much more dangerous now,” Griffith added. “And every once in a while an old student wants to look around.”
The council decided to put up clear markings letting people know just how hazardous the building and area around it is.
In other council news:
- During public participation, resident Gary Hastings recommended letting people who want recycling to do their own billing and take care of it themselves, rather than making it a village-wide directive.
“Just let those who want to participate do it,” Hastings suggested. “Some people can’t afford it.”
- Council then passed the second reading of ordinance 2024-12 for curbside recycling and garbage rubbish rates.
- In approving Monday night’s bills, Griffith pointed out her surprise over a $1,200 “hand hose,” which she interpreted as a garden hose. But they clarified it was, in fact, an industrial-size leaf blower.
- Councilmember Alyssa Kauffman attended the recent safety council meeting. She said they covered workplace instability, focusing on areas like racial and generational differences.
- On Oct 25, 300 junior and senior West Liberty-Salem High School students volunteered their time around the village. Their work included painting and cleaning up areas like Lions Park and the bike path.
Six of those students helped put shelves together in the community room. According to Boyd, they had the work done in about 30 minutes, so she asked them to take care of a few other projects. “They did a great job,” she said. - Hudson once again reminded the councilmembers they need to take the certified public records training and the Sunshine Laws training. The latter must be completed before Dec. 31, 2024.
- The bank is forcing West Liberty to take out flood insurance on the police building. A surveyor came to inspect the area on Oct. 17 and will keep the village updated.
- Hudson plans to talk to Police Chief Shane Oelker about having full-time police coverage, 24-7. They’re looking for ways to cover all shifts without going overbudget due to overtime hours.
Currently, police officers have used 197 overtime hours in 2024; that number was over 400 for 2023. - Beggars’ night on Thursday, Oct. 31, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., rain or shine.
- A special veterans event is planned for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the opera house. West Liberty resident and World War II veteran Bill Figley will serve as the keynote speaker.
The next West Liberty Village Council meeting takes place on Veteran’s Day, Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m.