Trustees approve hiring policy

Nine of the township’s worst houses are scheduled for demolition.

By MARY SMITH

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

MINERAL RIDGE — Weathersfield Township trustees approved a formal hiring policy for township employees, putting into writing for the first time policies which have already been in practice.

“Now department heads know what to do” when hiring or promoting personnel, township Administrator David Pugh said Tuesday.

Under the policy, department heads are to give current employees consideration for positions before going outside the township. All employees have a probationary period of six months unless otherwise specified, and this includes new full-time and part-time or reserve employees.

New employees must have a background check, drug test, physical, driving record check and reference check, and a credit check, which is optional.

Fire department personnel are to meet the same criteria as any other employee, plus provide verification of training.

Police department personnel also must meet the same criteria plus verification of training certification, a polygraph and a psychological exam.

At the end of the process, before offering a job to anyone, the township department head must consult with the township administrator and chairman of the board of trustees before approval is given to the proposed candidate.

Also at their Tuesday meeting, trustees approved a list of nine properties that are scheduled for demolition. Each property must first be put out to bid, and if the owner cannot pay for the demolition, the cost will go onto the property owner’s tax bill.

Owners also can pay for the demolition or do it themselves.

Pugh noted the township is trying to clean up some properties that have been in disrepair and have been foreclosed on for some time. “These are the worst of our houses,” he said.

Trustees approved a resolution to have Zoning Inspector Sherri Craver obtain quotes on title inspection for the nine properties.

The properties are 2941 Woodlawn Ave., 2947 Woodlawn Ave., 1286 Ashland Ave., 2961 Trumbull Ave., 2914 Trumbull Ave., 2348 Ninth Ave. (structure and house behind), 2873 Niles-Carver Road, 1285 Ashland Ave., and 2352 Ninth Ave.

Trustees approved a new, one-year service contract with Staley Communications of Southern Boulevard, Boardman, at $300 a month.

The company installed the police and fire radio system.

The system includes five police receivers and five fire receivers and related reception equipment. Staley will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to work on the system.