Northfield council confirms three part-time firefighters and adopts 2025 appropriations

Northfield's council confirmed three part-time fire department appointments and adopted the village's 2025 appropriations at its March 26 regular meeting.

Chief Jason Buss introduced the candidates for three emergency appointment resolutions—No. 2025-10 (Seth Grabowski), No. 2025-11 (De'Jonte Lawrence) and No. 2025-12 (Vincent Wright). Law Director Brad Bryan read the three resolutions by title. Council moved to suspend the three-reading rule (motion by Councilmember Gary Vojtush, seconded by Alan Hipps) with the roll call recorded as all voting in favor. A subsequent motion to adopt the resolutions was made by Mr. Vojtush and seconded by Mr. Lewis; the minutes record roll-call responses of Mr. Ferko-yes, Ms. Noack-yes, Mr. Magistrelli-yes, and Mr. Hipps-yes and state the three resolutions were approved.

In a separate action, Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-09, setting appropriations for fiscal year 2025. The appropriation resolution was read by title and adopted after a motion by Mr. Hipps, seconded by Mr. Lewis. The minutes record a roll-call vote with Mr. Ferko, Ms. Noack, Mr. Magistrelli, Mr. Hipps and Mr. Lewis recorded as voting yes and state the legislation was approved.

During public comment, Recreation Board member Zach Hebebrand encouraged residents to attend the Adult Egg Hunt on April 11 and the Children's Egg Hunt on April 12 and asked council to help promote the events. A resident identified as Mr. Walendzik raised safety concerns about people walking on Route 8 and asked, "Who is responsible for clearing snow and ice from Rt. 8 sidewalks?" Service Department Superintendent Jason Walters replied that abutting property owners are responsible and said the village has limited enforcement because private businesses generally cannot keep up with repeated plowing onto sidewalks; Mayor Jenn Domzalski said she would notify the police department and request increased presence in the area. The police department's citation records were noted in the minutes: 31 stop sign citations issued in January and February 2025.

Mayor Jenn Domzalski reported that Klutch Cannabis is progressing on its property and hopes to open in the coming months, and that the new police-station project is ahead of schedule. Engineer Dan Collins said the village submitted its MS4 sewer reports to the Ohio EPA and reported the village has about $178,000 in a NOPEC community cost-share fund earmarked for stormwater projects. Law Director Brad Bryan told council he has prepared draft short-term rental legislation but is holding it pending the outcome of Ohio Senate Bill 104, which he said could limit the village's ability to regulate short-term rentals.

Fire Chief Jason Buss said some village fire inspectors participated in a South Euclid food-truck inspection event and that the department will accept those inspections this year; he also announced a New Fire Station open house scheduled for June 14, organized by Paul Wojtkiewicz. Service Superintendent Jason Walters outlined several unbudgeted equipment items he wants added to an upcoming appropriation amendment: a skid-steer broom (quoted at $6,999, versus an earlier estimate of $20,000), a walk-behind mower ($7,759), and a camera/sensor repair for the MGM entrance signal (quote of $40,000). Walters also raised the possibility of regrading or otherwise stabilizing the old Chestnut sewer-plant property to avoid recurring EPA inspections and said he has documented recurring property-maintenance violations at the Plaza, providing 154 photographs to council.

The meeting closed after committee and board reports and an announcement that the cemetery board will meet to review its budget. Council adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

What happens next: Council indicated the unbudgeted equipment requests and wage adjustments will be considered as part of an appropriation amendment on a future agenda; Law Director Bryan will monitor Ohio Senate Bill 104 before filing local short-term rental regulations.