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Trustees appoint Richard Ellwanger as Norwich Township fire chief; training and equipment funded
Summary
The Norwich Township Board of Trustees named Richard Ellwanger as the township’s new fire chief and approved training and equipment purchases, including a Life‑Pack EKG unit and multiple firefighters’ training enrollments.
The Norwich Township Board of Trustees voted to appoint Richard Ellwanger as the township’s new fire chief following interviews and resume reviews. The motion, made by Trustee Durland L. Workman and seconded by Chairman James H. Rice, carried on a roll call recorded in the minutes as ‘Aye’. The minutes record a probationary period and list the chief’s salary as $26,000.00 per year.
Trustees also approved several personnel and training measures for the fire department. Four firefighters who passed the pre‑admission test were authorized to attend EMTA training; trustees approved course enrollment and related costs. The board approved volunteer recruitment and training classes after an article in the Northwest News generated new applications.
On equipment, trustees approved a budgeted purchase of a Life‑Pack 5 EKG unit for the second squad at $6,610.00. The motion to buy the unit was made by Mr. Workman and seconded by Webster D. Junk; the minutes record the vote as unanimous. The board recorded other equipment maintenance items and repair approvals for apparatus and vehicles.
Why it matters: The changes formalize leadership for the township’s fire department and commit budgeted funds to training and medical response capability. The minutes show the board treating personnel, training and equipment purchases as connected parts of maintaining emergency services.
The board recorded no dissenting votes on the chief appointment or the Life‑Pack purchase. The minutes show follow‑up steps: the chief will review vehicle bids and the clerk will schedule related personnel meetings. The meeting adjourned with the board scheduling subsequent meetings to finalize related procurement and volunteer onboarding.
