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Station updates get rave reviews
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Joseph F. Gleydura, left, chairman of Hubbard Township trustees, and police Chief Todd D. Coonce stand next to a handcrafted wooden eagle featuring the township’s name along with the seal of Ohio. Made by Frederick Hanley, a trustee, the symbol dominates a wall in the newly renovated police department. The renovations updated the facility, built in 1978, and made it more efficient.
HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — A renovation of Hubbard Township Police Department presents a new-and-improved look to the public.
But, for the police department staff, it’s been uplifting. “It’s more professional-looking, and it’s been a morale booster,” said Chief Todd D. Coonce.
The station, built in 1978 when the department was founded, was stuck in the 1970s with outdated paneling and a mishmash of uses for rooms. The police station, at 2600 Elmwood Drive Extension, is part of the township administration and road department complex there. Though police personnel got the job done, it wasn’t in the best of surroundings. “The cement-block box” is how Joseph F. Gleydura, Hubbard Township trustees chairman, described the police station.
Gleydura said the renovation was possible because the trustees planned ahead. “We were careful about what we’ve spent for the last 10 years,” he said.
About three years ago, the trustees began serious discussion about the renovation. Gleydura said an architect, Russell D. Beatty of Poland, was hired, and it took about a year to assess what was needed and what it would take monetarily to accomplish it.
The projected cost was approximately $110,000. The bid came in about $4,000 less, and Jim Santini Builder Inc. of Washingtonville was the general contractor. Gleydura said the township took out a loan for the project. The trustee said the timing of the project worked in the township’s favor. “It was a right time of year, and we got good bids,” he said.
The project began Jan. 16, and a rededication took place July 4. “We got lots of comments. ... People knew what it was like before,” Gleydura said.
Coonce described the renovated station as “more efficient.”
When visitors come to the station now, they enter a small reception area. Further access to other sections of the station is through passwords on keypads. “That has improved safety and security,” Coonce said.
The former “big box” now has a modified floor plan, which is divided into serviceable areas — a squad room, along with rooms for interviews, evidence and booking, and a dinette. “It’s all so much neater,” Coonce said. New and reconditioned furnishings also are a part of the renovation.
Coonce also said the prisoner area is more secure and has detention stations. And the building also is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
While the renovation was under way, the department basically worked out of the back portion of the building, which itself was an addition in 1999. The chief’s office, administrative assistant’s office, conference room and investigator’s office are there.
Once the work started, some structural defects relating to plumbing, foundation and walls surfaced and were resolved. And as the old walls and ceilings were dismantled, Gleydura said the patchwork of the electrical system was revealed.
“It looked like spaghetti,” he said. The electrical system and communications wiring were both improved.
During the renovation, Coonce said officers sometimes used facilities at Hubbard City Police Department to process a prisoner. “We had total cooperation from the city,” Gleydura added.
A team effort also contributed to the interior of the renovated police station. Vince Bray, an employee of Hubbard Township road department, fabricated prisoner retention chairs, which saved the township money. Gleydura used his carpentry skills and built a communications charger and storage station. Frederick Hanley, a trustee, crafted a wooden eagle with the township’s name along with the seal of Ohio centered on it. It is displayed in a hallway.
Coonce said now it is a pleasure to have visitors, such as students, to the station. He said the township and city police departments, in cooperation with Hubbard Optimist Club, give away bicycle helmets to second-graders at Roosevelt Elementary and St. Patrick schools in Hubbard.
He’s chairman of the project for the club. For third-graders, the police departments present a program on safety-belt use.
Hubbard Township Police Department details
History: As Hubbard Township grew with residences and businesses, trustees felt the need for the township to have its own police department. It had depended on Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department. A levy was passed in 1976 to start the department, which was founded in 1978. The police station was built that year.
Population: The township has some 6,400 residents.
Area: Joseph F. Gleydura, chairman of trustees, described the area like this — “Think of Hubbard [city] as the center of the doughnut; the township is five miles square around it.” Other trustees are Frederick Hanley and Thomas Jacobs.
Police department: Chief Todd D. Coonce has served for 28 years including 14 years as chief and seven in part-time work. The department has five full-time officers and one recently retired. There are 12 part-time officers and two reserve officers. The department handles about 180-200 calls, which generate a report, each month. Coonce said the department has applied for a federal grant to fund a full-time officer’s position.
Contact information: Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; call (330) 534-8477. For 24-hour nonemergency dispatch, call (330) 675-2730, and for emergencies, call 911. Web site is www.hubbardtwppd.org.