NEW MIDDLETOWN Grant to cover projects at park

Council hired a ninth part-time police officer.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The state has awarded the village $24,198 for the next phase of improvements at Welker Park.
Council accepted the grant Monday. The money will be used to build a basketball court, boccie court and horseshoe pit. The village will have to provide $8,066 toward the project because the Ohio Department of Natural Resources requires a 25 percent local contribution for the grant.
Council also agreed to submit an additional application to ODNR for $90,100 for engineering and construction of phase four of the park project, which involves a gazebo and tennis court. The local share would be $22,525.
Firefighter health exams
Council also accepted a $15,501 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for physical exams for all 22 village volunteer firefighters.
Fire Chief Bill Opsitnik said although firefighters are examined when they join the department, this physical would be more comprehensive. The township will have to pay 10 percent of the cost, $605 each.
The grant was obtained through the Western Reserve Joint Fire District, which includes Lowellville, Coitsville, New Middletown and Poland.
Council hired Jason Goist at $9.52 hourly as a part-time police officer. He will have a one-year probationary period. His hiring brings the police department to three full-time and nine part-time officers.
Sgt. Vince D'Egidio was presented with a certificate of appreciation for exceptional service by Police Chief Bill Morvay.
In the 16 months D'Egidio has worked for the village, Morvay said, he has responded to 67 calls after the end of his shift.
Other matters
Opsitnik reminded residents that setting off most fireworks is illegal in Ohio. He asked residents not to buy illegal fireworks and pointed out that there will be two public fireworks displays here, at the July 28 Bicentennial celebration and the Aug. 5 National Night Out.
He said the only legal fireworks are Class C, which can be bought at grocery and other stores.
Council approved $2,000 for flowers and shrubs to beautify signs at the entrance to the village and the municipal building, and $2,450 to put in a manhole at Linford Lane and Foster Drive so an obstructed sewer can be cleaned.
Morvay reported that Springfield Local High School had the biggest improvement in the county in seat-belt use in a recent check by Mahoning Valley Safe Kids.
Under the program, the percentage of students driving to school who use seat belts is checked at the beginning and the end of the school year.
During the year, education on seat belt use was provided by the organization and the school resource officer.