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Norwich Township approves $1.19 million pumper, thermal imagers and emergency hydrant repairs
Summary
Trustees on March 3 approved the purchase of a custom Sutphen pumper for $1,178,509.29 and eight thermal imagers for $9,381.59, and authorized emergency hydrant repairs costing $3,820 split with the City of Hilliard. The fire chief also reported on a large Bloom Energy project and an AARP grant application.
Norwich Township trustees on March 3 approved a set of fire-department expenditures including a custom pumper estimated at $1,178,509.29, eight thermal imagers costing $9,381.59, and an emergency hydrant repair totaling $3,820 that will be split with the City of Hilliard.
Trustee Brian Rothenberg moved to buy the thermal imagers from Witmer Public Safety Group and the motion passed with Chair Kelli Arthur Hykes joining him in the vote. Rothenberg then moved to purchase a custom Sutphen pumper from Sutphen as a 2026 capital budget item; Hykes seconded and the motion passed. Later, trustees approved an emergency purchase through Eramo and Sons to repair two fire hydrants at the township’s Safety Services building, with costs shared with the City of Hilliard.
Fire Chief Dave Baird also recognized the resignation of Mr. Tidd and thanked him for his service to the department. Baird reported that department analytics software was temporarily down but provided February call-volume data of 584 calls for service. He described recent participation in a Community Risk Reduction conference and credited Lt. Nate Jennings for his work on the Focus Hilliard program.
Chief Baird said he had applied for an AARP Community Challenge Grant to help check and install smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors in senior residents’ homes; the department expects to hear back in May. He also briefed trustees on meetings concerning a large Bloom Energy project in the area; the project was described in the meeting transcript as approximately 79 megawatts and involving a high-pressure gas line. Baird said the City of Hilliard is hosting a public question-and-answer session March 5, which township representatives plan to attend, and that a follow-up meeting is scheduled for March 15.
The trustees recorded votes for each motion as: Trustee seat vacant, Hykes—Yes, Rothenberg—Yes. The purchases were presented as budgeted 2026 capital items, and the hydrant repair was approved as an emergency expense.
The board adjourned at 6:46 PM.
