Trustees promote area firefighters

NEW SPRINGFIELD — Township firefighters were named by trustees Wednesday to four newly created unpaid positions.

Scott Rice was named assistant chief, Roy Kohler and Don Wharry were named battalion chiefs and Jeff Martin was appointed fire prevention officer.

Trustee Robert Orr said that Interim Fire Chief Matt Gebhardt recommended the changes. The changes were approved by trustees with Orr abstaining, because a relative was one of the applicants for the positions.

Gebhardt said after the meeting that he wanted the new positions established to give the department structure and get it moving ahead. He said that the assistant chief will be second in authority in the department, followed by the battalion chiefs, and then by captains of each of the township’s three fire stations. He said that Martin will lead the department’s fire inspection efforts.

In related business, trustees also agreed to Gebhart’s request to move firefighter Dan Bender to Station 21 and make him captain there. He fills the void created by the promotions of Wharry and Kohler, who had been first and second captains respectively at Station 21.

Also Thursday, trustees heard Matthew Stefanak, head of the Mahoning County Health Department, ask the township’s support to avoid department budget cuts that would decrease the current twice-weekly inspections of local landfills to twice a month. The number of residents living near landfills who have their water tested for free would also be reduced if cuts are made. He said 49 families near the Mahoning landfill in Springfield Township have their water tested.

Stefanak invited the public to a policy meeting where the cuts will be discussed at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 2 at the Oakhill Renaissance Place’s Hitchcock Auditorium. He said time will be allowed for public comment.

Also Wednesday, trustees:

UHeard complaints about speeding on Columbiana Road between Route 165 and Garfield Road, and they promised police will monitor the situation. Trustees will also again ask the county to prohibit through truck traffic on Struthers Road. Orr said they have already contacted the county about this but received no response.

UAgreed to apply for state funding for a Beard Road culvert. The township’s share would be about $70,000 or 42 percent if the project is approved.

UAgreed to approve an Information Technology Assurance Service Agreement with Infolink Technologies for maintenance of police laptops and desktop computers. The agreement will also allow police to access the central server from their vehicles. Cost is $495 monthly with an initial set-up fee of $1,000.

UApproved purchase of the police department’s first Taser for $1,480.

UIndicated they will not request a hearing on a liquor license for Cross Fireplace and Patio LLC on Western Reserve Road.

• Agreed to send Trustee Robert Orr to a leadership academy in Washington, D.C., in September for $199.

UAnnounced that township residents are invited to participate in a cleanup at the cemetery at Route 170 and High Street, Petersburg, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26.