New pay rates mulled for Northfield Village workers

NORTHFIELD – New pay rates for certain full-time and part-time village employees are being considered by Village Council. Ordinances were introduced when Council met Jan. 12 for the first time in 2022.

The three pieces of legislation will go to second reading at Council’s Jan. 26 meeting after Council discussed them during an executive session.

The legislation proposes that finance director Jennifer Potvin and engineer Daniel Collins each would receive $103,000 in 2022, with Potvin’s salary up from $78,780 and Collins’ salary from $100,000 in 2021.

Police Chief John Zolgus would see an increase from $84,801 to $86,497. Fire Chief Jason Buss’ salary would be boosted from $30,308 to $33,945. The latter position is considered part-time.

Law director Brad Bryan would be paid $134 per hour, up from $130, and IT consultant/finance department assistant Jay Mutter would receive $50 per hour.

Fire department full-timers would receive hourly wages ranging from $18 during their probationary period to $26.15 for a captain. Part-timers would receive between $16.94 and $21.59.

Part-time firefighters and paramedics would no longer receive a $2 per hour shift premium for hours worked from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday and for all shifts for which they are stationed at Northfield Park regardless of the day and time worked.

Council repealed a section of the administrative code pertaining to annual EMT and paramedic incentive bonuses.

Eliminated was the section which states all department employees who maintain their certifications and meet the minimum station work requirements of 300 hours per year and work at least 12 hours on at least one holiday shall be entitled to either $150 (EMTs) or $350 (paramedics) per year.

According to Buss, the savings from elimination of the shift premium and bonuses would be used to hire part-time firefighters.

OTHER BUSINESS

Ambulance service rates were raised as follows: Basic life support from $450 to $550, advanced life support 1 rom $550 to $650 and mileage from $10 to $12. Advanced life support 2 services will be $700 and non-transport services will be $150.

Approved equipment costs are as follows: Engine company, $734; ladder tower, $747; rescue vehicle, $721; pumper, $584; and safety service vehicle, $31. The costs increase by 7 percent to 14 percent based upon time at the scene and vehicle.

Approved manpower costs per hour are as follows: Firefighter, $50; shift supervisor, $70; officer, $80; and chief, $100.

If the user has insurance, the village will accept as full payment the usual and customary rates as allowed by the particular insurance company.

Council welcomed Kevin Lewis as a replacement for Jennifer Domzalski, who is now mayor. He works for an Arizona-based turf and landscaping company and was a golf course superintendent for many years.

Also attending his first meeting was Jesse Ferko, who defeated Keith Czerr in the November election.

Renell Noack was elected president for 2022, and Alan Hipps was reappointed Council’s representative to the planning commission.

Council authorized an agreement with Medical Mutual of Ohio for employee medical coverage for the period from Nov. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022. Employees will have the option of maintaining coverage under the existing plan or moving to a new plan.

If fire or police department full-timers decide to remain with the current plan, they will be subject to payroll deductions because the premium has been increased 18 percent this year. The deductions will start April 1. No payroll deductions will be made for those on the new plan.

Council renewed an agreement with the Summit County Public Defenders Commission for representation of indigents in Stow Municipal Court in 2022 at a rate of $170 per case.

An amendment to the qualifications for original appointment to the fire department as a firefighter was approved. It adds Auburn Career Center to the list of places where potential hires can complete agility testing.

Collins noted bids will be sought in the near future for Route 8 microsurfacing and Coventry Drive improvements. The state will pay for the Route 8 work and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will provide funding for the Coventry Drive project.

It was noted design drawings and cost estimates are still being determined for a new police station. Because fire station addition plans have been put on hold, officials said the project likely will have to be rebid because the estimated cost has risen significantly.

Hipps said he believes it might be better to wait a while longer before going ahead with the new police station and fire station improvements since costs are rapidly changing and there are supply chain issues.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New pay rates mulled for Northfield Village workers