Northfield council approves F-600 dump truck purchase and accepts $55,449.60 ARPA first-responder grant

The Village of Northfield Council on Oct. 11 approved two emergency resolutions, authorizing the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-600 Super Duty dump truck and accepting a $55,449.60 ARPA First Responder Wellness, Recruitment, Retention, and Resiliency grant from the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Law Director Brad Bryan read Resolution No. 2023-48 by title, which authorizes the mayor to purchase a 2023 Ford F-600 Super Duty dump truck from Classic Auto Group. Councilmember Renell Noack moved to suspend the three-reading rule; Alan Hipps seconded and the suspension motion passed on a roll-call vote. Gary Vojtush moved to adopt the resolution, with Hipps seconding; roll-call votes recorded Renell Noack, Gary Vojtush, Nick Magistrelli and Kevin Lewis as "yes" and the legislation was approved. The minutes do not specify a purchase price for the truck.

Brad Bryan then read Resolution No. 2023-49 by title to authorize the mayor and fire chief to execute an agreement with the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency for the awarded ARPA grant of $55,449.60. Councilmember Gary Vojtush moved and Hipps seconded to suspend three readings; the suspension passed by roll call. Vojtush again moved to adopt, seconded by Hipps; the roll-call vote recorded Noack, Vojtush, Magistrelli and Lewis as "yes," and the resolution was adopted.

Fire Chief Jason Buss said the grant, which the village applied for in May 2022 and was recently awarded, will fund stipends to firefighters employed by the Village between June 2021 and June 2023. Chief Buss told council eligible full-time firefighters will receive around $4,000 and eligible part-time firefighters will receive a smaller stipend; the Village expects to have the grant funds within about 30 days.

The two measures were adopted during the regular council meeting without further amendment. The council adjourned at 7:43 p.m.