Trustees approve cybersecurity policy, fire repairs, ambulance charges and several public‑safety measures

Hamilton Township trustees approved a package of measures focused on public safety and fiscal housekeeping at their Sept. 17 meeting, voting to adopt a state‑required cybersecurity policy and to fund several fire, EMS and road items.

The board unanimously adopted a cybersecurity policy after Administrator Jeff said the requirement stems from a state law enacted this summer that requires municipalities and township governments to have an adopted plan. Jeff told trustees the township will go beyond the legal minimum by adding staff cybersecurity training, multifactor authentication and new software to reduce vulnerability. "I appreciate the state made this a requirement," Jeff said, "but I also feel good that Hamilton Township's doing more than necessary." The board approved the item as resolution 25‑1002a.

Trustees also approved a reappropriation into the fire maintenance fund to pay for an unplanned remanufactured transmission for Engine 76 (a 2015 model). The chief described a cracked outer casing and shredded gears and said the repair — roughly $20,000 — will include a four‑year warranty. The motion passed as resolution 25‑1002b.

On ambulance billing, the board approved resolution 25‑1002C to establish reasonable charges for Hamilton Township fire and emergency services. Chief Jewett and staff explained the policy is intended to allow the township to bill nursing homes or assisted‑living facilities when Medicare/Medicaid or private insurers determine a transport was not medically necessary. "What this does is it gives us the ability that if it does not meet insurance requirements... the facility itself has to pay for that run," Chief Jewett said, describing the practice as a way to reduce taxpayer burden while preserving necessary emergency responses.

The trustees also approved a then‑and‑now purchase order to Midwest Central for road materials totaling $245,178.75 (to be paid from the road and levy fund, account 2907‑330‑400‑000).

The board accepted a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to offset training costs and pay for paramedic training, incident command training and specialized rescue classes. The motion as stated in the meeting set the grant amount at $64,515 with a required township match of $5,865 (the transcript also referenced other grant figures in explanations; the motion adopted the $64,515/$5,865 numbers). Officials said the township's share represents a roughly 10 percent match.

Finally, trustees approved an amendment to the township roster to add a new police officer; administrators described the hire as a new officer entering service with the township.

Votes recorded in the meeting transcript show trustees (named in the record as Mister Cordray, Mister Sousa, Mister Razi, Mister Rossi, Mister Souza and others) voting in favor of the listed motions during roll calls. Where individual votes were recorded in the transcript, they have been reported as stated by the clerk during the meeting.

The board moved next to an executive session on economic development and did not take further public votes that evening.