Zajac named police chief in Northfield Village

NORTHFIELD – An 18-year veteran of the village police department – Lt. Brian Zajac – has been appointed chief by Mayor Jennifer Domzalski, and the appointment was confirmed by Council on Feb. 22.

Zajac has served as a lieutenant for nearly four years and was a sergeant for about four years before that. He and another department officer expressed interest in becoming chief and both were interviewed.

Zajac, who has been with the department since 2005, will be paid $90,000 in 2023, pro-rated based upon his appointment date. He replaces retiring chief John Zolgus.

“I am excited for this opportunity to be able to continue serving the Northfield Village community and its residents, especially since I grew up in the Nordonia Hills school district and started my career with the village police department in 2005,” Zajac said. “I am grateful for this opportunity afforded to me by Mayor Domzalski and Council, along with their support and the support of my family and our officers.”

Domzalski said that the new police chief's experience with the department makes him a good fit to take the reins.

“While serving as lieutenant and sergeant, Lt. Zajac has had the opportunity to gain the skills and experience necessary for him to thrive in the chief’s position,” said Domzalski. “We welcome his enthusiasm for taking on the responsibilities of this important appointment and are confident he will serve the village and members of the department with distinction in his new position.”

Zajac began his stint in Northfield Village as a part-time officer, eventually became a full-timer and was elevated to sergeant in 2015. Prior to coming to the village, he was a part-time officer in Munroe Falls.

Zajac graduated from the University of Akron’s Police Academy in 2004. He has volunteered to help with the juvenile diversion and new recruits’ field training programs and has been a member of the Northern Ohio Fugitive Task Force.

Domzalski and Council issued proclamations in recognition of Zolgus’ and Sgt. Brian Zambach’s retirements.

Zolgus worked for the local department for nearly 29 ½ years, having began as a part-time officer in September 1993. He became a full-timer in 1997, was promoted to sergeant in February 2004 and became chief in September 2017.

According to the proclamation, he “exhibited leadership, dedication to duty and compassion for village residents and the general public.”

“I’d like to express my heartfelt congratulations to Chief Zolgus on his retirement,” said Domzalski. “He is the longest serving full-time employee of the village. His infectious personality and love for the village will be missed.”

Zambach was hired by the village as a full-time officer in March 1997 and was promoted to sergeant in July 2019. He spent 26 years with the department.

Zolgus’ last day on the job was Feb. 3, while Zambach’s was Feb. 26.

Other business

Council authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Bay Pointe Technology Services for IT services commencing March 1. The firm will replace the village’s current IT consultant, who is retiring.

Five proposals were received from various companies. Bay Point Technology’s initial on-boarding fee will be $1,955, with additional payments of $1,955 due monthly.

Council also accepted $8,738 as the village’s energized community grant for 2023 from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council. The annual grant helps the village to continue energy efficiency projects.

At Council’s Jan. 25 meeting, Cleveland Water Commissioner Alex Margevicius and Margaret Jackson provided background about the department’s history, present footprint and fee structure.

Margevicius noted the majority of the village’s water lines were installed in the 1960s, with some smaller installations in the 1950s, 1990s and early 2000s. He added only a handful of houses, if any, still have lead pipes.

However, he encouraged residents to inspect their pipes and perform a magnet and penny test, and if the pipes are lead residents should contact the water department to have them replaced.

Margevicious talked about the homestead program for seniors 65 and older and the water affordability program for low-income residents, both of which can save eligible customers 40 percent off their bills.

The commissioner described the process for issuing estimated readings and how adjustments are made once an actual reading is received.

He said the department’s ability to read meters via remote software has reduced the need for estimated bills from 17 percent to 2 percent. Remote readings are taken if interference in low-lying areas doesn’t allow accurate readings to be logged.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Zajac becomes the new police chief in Northfield Village