Canal Fulton swears in new police chief

The Repository
·2 min read

Canal Fulton City Council

Tuesday meeting

KEY ACTION: Swore in Sgt. Sara Wilson as police chief.

DISCUSSION: Wilson, who has a degree in criminal justice, has been with the Canal Fulton Police Department for eight years and was promoted to sergeant in 2019.

More about Sara Wilson: Canal Fulton creates sergeant spots on police force

Mayor Joe Schultz, who swore in Wilson, said, "She earned the position and has the respect of the other officers." Councilman Mark Cozy praised her for her professionalism and her dogged pursuit in solving cases. Wilson thanked all who supported her, adding, "I have grown to love this community. I love coming to work everyday and who I work with."

She replaces former Police Chief Doug Swartz, who retired earlier this month.

OTHER ACTION:

  • Agreed to take a wait-and-see approach to a new state law regarding fireworks before deciding if they need to prepare a more restrictive ordinance. Beginning July 1, adults may set off consumer-grade fireworks from 4 to 11 p.m. during certain holidays. Those holidays include New Year’s Eve and Day, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day weekend, Juneteenth, July 3-5, Labor Day Weekend, and Diwali.

  • Heard that the St. Helena III canal boat has been removed from the water because the rubber coating applied to the concrete is sloughing off. City officials are looking for a way to repair the boat.

  • Heard that restoration work on the St. Helena II canal boat will begin in mid-July.

  • Discussed installing the multi-piece mural of Canal Fulton’s history at the Canalway Center. Other sites have been considered but mostly rejected.

  • Heard that Chris Bundy has been hired as the city’s new parks director, effective July 11. Bundy is currently the recreation manager at Mill Creek MetroParks in Canfield.

  • Heard that the Fire Explorers program has been rebooted following the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Agreed to pay Mel Wacker Sign, Inc. up to $9,400 to install three new flagpoles on city properties.

UP NEXT: Will meet at 6 p.m. July 5 at the Safety Center. Council and committee meetings may be viewed in real time on the city’s website.

Joan Porter

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canal Fulton swears in new police chief Sara Wilson