Wednesday, February 15, 2012
By Mary Smith
MINERAL RIDGE
Weathersfield Township trustees honored firefighters James Postlethwait and David Pugh in recognition of their retirements.
Pugh has served 37 years with the department, and Postlethwait has served 21 years. Both started as lieutenants with the Mineral Ridge department, Pugh in 1975 and Postlethwait in 1991. Both continued serving when the Mineral Ridge and McKinley Heights departments merged in 1999. Both also served as officers of the Mineral Ridge Fireman’s Association, Pugh as treasurer and Postlethwait as vice president.
Firefighters are paid $9.50 per call. Trustee Chairman Steve Gerberry said the volunteer firefighters have offered to resume responding to Emergency Medical Services calls, a practice stopped by trustees last year so they would not have to pay firefighters for the call-out.
Gerberry said trustees are “excited” they have decided to resume responding to the calls at no pay. “It shows that they are really stepping up and volunteering,” he said.
Private ambulances are used to transport to hospitals.
Trustees approved a proclamation honoring Weathersfield School District for recent honors, including the Ohio Department of Education ranking the high school number one among Trumbull County high schools and second in the surrounding five counties, and Seaborn Elementary being rated Excellent and named a “school of promise” for the last two academic years.
A new 2012 township budget of $4.024 million was approved after a public hearing.
Trustees hired Craig Callow as a part-time police officer at $9.50 an hour.