Boardman trustees will beef up safety forces if levy passes

BOARDMAN — Days before voters will decide the fate of a 2.2-mill levy police and fire levy, trustees have committed to hiring up to 10 police officers and recalling six laid off firefighters if the levy passes.

The action came at a special meeting this week.

The five-year levy on Tuesday’s ballot would generate $2,078,924 annually for the police and fire departments.

Early this year, after voters rejected a 4.1-mill general operating levy, trustees laid off 30 full-time employees including nine firefighters and 12 road department employees.

Additionally, 13 police officers who have either retired or resigned within the last two years haven’t been replaced. Two ranking officers are expected to retire early next year and a patrolmen is slated to resign for another job this month, said Chief Patrick Berarducci.

The exact number of police hired depends on the results of contract negotiations between the township and both police bargaining units.

Read more in Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com