New Middletown begins the process to raise the pay for firefighters, EMTs

The ordinance must pass two additional readings before it can become law.

By MARY GRZEBIENIAK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Legislation authorizing increased compensation for firefighters and first responders passed a first reading Monday by New Middletown Village Council.

Council unanimously passed the reading on an ordinance increasing fire department compensation to $10 for training and calls for EMTs and fire personnel who have passed a qualifying first responder/EMT course; $9 for training and calls for fire officers; and $8 for training and calls for other firefighters.

The ordinance also lifts that the current $480 cap on what any firefighter may receive in one year. The total cap on the total annual compensation for all firefighters was set at $9,600.

The ordinance needs to pass two more readings before it becomes law.

Current compensation is $5 for training and $8 per call for all firefighters.

Last year was the first year village firefighters received any compensation.

Fire Chief William Opsitnik remarked Monday that the $480 cap “stymies full participation in training and calls for the department.” He pointed out that the total cost to the village last year for calls and training was only $5,563.

Last April, firefighters had objected to the low amount of compensation they had been given, calling it in a letter, “just short of an insult.”

Also Monday, council authorized applying to the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments for $98,981 in Transportation Enhancement Activity Funds for part of an extension of sidewalks and decorative lighting on the west side of state Route 170. The entire project would extend the lighting and sidewalks from Sycamore Drive to Struthers Road. The east side already has sidewalks. The project requires a 20 percent local match.

Police Chief William Morvay announced that Mahoning County Juvenile Court is willing to hold truancy court twice monthly at the New Middletown Village administration building to serve New Middletown, North Lima, Springfield Township, Lowelville and possibly Coitsville. Currently truancy hearings for these areas are in downtown Youngstown. The village would only have to provide the space and would neither have liability nor provide any personnel. Further details will be announced.

Council also passed a resolution to participate in Federal Emergency Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program, allowing local residents to purchase flood insurance. Village Solicitor Jeffrey Heintz said the village is being assessed for flood vulnerability and it is thought only a small area of the township near the Calla Road intersection with state Route 170 lies in a flood plain. The resolution will require the township to follow FEMA flood regulations and limits building in designated flood zones.