New fire/EMS levy explored for Northfield Center Twp.
NORTHFIELD CENTER – Township trustees are exploring the possibility of placing an additional fire and EMS levy on the May 3 primary election ballot.
At its Jan. 11 meeting, the board authorized interim administrator Jim Honsberger and chairman Russ Mazzola to pursue needed information and timelines for the levy. Feb. 2 is the deadline for submitting a levy to the Summit County Board of Elections.
The levy would provide money for payments to the Macedonia Fire Department under a 15-year contract OK’d in September, plus related expenses, including a portion of the debt service on the new safety/administrative offices building.
Under the current fire services contract, the township will pay Macedonia $589,000 in 2022, increasing to $1.03 million in 2036.
The parties can review costs on a quarterly basis and adjust payments for additional amounts compared to the prior year and additional costs associated with an increase in call volume.
Trustees last year awarded a pact to Infinity Construction of Warrensville Heights for construction of the safety/administrative center at a maximum cost of $2.98 million. According to Mazzola, site work at the Olde Eight Road service department property will start soon, with construction of the building likely completed by November.
An agreement between the township and Huntington Public Capital Corp. has been OK’d for issuing general obligation bonds not to exceed $3 million to pay costs of constructing the building.
OTHER BUSINESS
Trustees accepted a retirement notification from administrator Helen Humphrys, effective immediately. Humphrys was appointed to the post in November 2020 to replace Steve Wright, who left for a job in Montgomery County, Md.
“The trustees very much appreciate the services of Helen since her appointment, and send best wishes and thanks to her on behalf of the trustees, staff and citizens of Northfield Center Township,” read a statement on the board’s consent agenda.
Trustees named longtime financial executive and CPA Honsberger, a township resident, as interim administrator on Nov. 22, 2021 to fill in for Humphrys during her leave of absence.
In addition to electing Mazzola as chairman, newly elected Trustee Rick Patz was named vice chairman. Zoning inspector Don Saunders and interim service director Frank Buehner will retain their positions in 2022.
Mazzola will be the township’s representative to the Summit County Board of Health for 2022, while Reville will be the representative to the Northfield-Macedonia Cemetery Board through Dec. 31, 2024 and Basil Lovano will be the representative to the Community Focus Consortium for 2022.
The resignations of Diane Bielecki and Don Christley from the board of zoning appeals were accepted, and trustees appointed Gene Lim and James Lamb to replace them.
In 2022, the zoning commission consists of Laura Filippi, Lisa DeLuca, Dan Schade, John Campbell and Lovano. The BZA consists of John Romanik, Verner Rudder, Lisa Clarke, Lim and Lamb, plus alternate Marc Kaminicki.
Purchase orders were authorized to be paid to Dinkmar Inc. ($10,024) for leaf pickup machine upgrades, Sohars All-Season Mower Service ($5,640) for stolen equipment replacement and Ruff Neon Signs ($5,306) for Township Hall property flagpole maintenance and painting.
Trustees authorized the payout of unused 2021 vacation time for service department staffers Buehner and John Horn as permitted in the 2021 organizational resolution, and adopted the 2022 organizational resolution and schedule of fees and bonds.
A public hearing is scheduled during the trustees’ Feb. 7 meeting for consideration of proposed text amendments to Chapters 130, 230 and 310 of the zoning ordinance, which were recommended by the zoning commission.
Brian James and Mike Wolfe were hired as part-time snowplow drivers. Fiscal Officer Andy LaGuardia reported the township is working with a consultant to determine what its $614,000 in American Rescue Plan funds can be used for.
Mazzola reported the township has received a $33,000 grant for replacement of the Township Hall roof and gutters, while Macedonia Fire Chief Brian Ripley reported his crews responded to 566 EMS and 89 fire calls in the township in 2021 and 4,269 calls districtwide.
A spokesman from the Summit County Sheriff’s Department reported deputies responded to 6,010 calls for service and made 41 arrests in the township in 2021.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New fire/EMS levy explored for Northfield Center Twp.
