Village departments report increased calls, hydrant work and approve street equipment purchase

Department heads reported operational activity and near-term needs at the May 5 meeting.

Fire Chief Russell Taylor told council the department handled 108 calls in April, including three fires, 85 EMS calls and eight rescues; 52 incidents resulted in patient transports. The department is preparing for an ISO evaluation and requested permission to inspect all village fire hydrants without flowing water; council asked for a quadrant-based inspection plan and a prioritized list of hydrants for the June meeting. Chief Taylor said hydrant replacement costs are approximately $5,000 each and can rise to about $20,000 if valve work is required.

Police Chief Mark Ross reported 149 calls in April, up from 108 in April 2024. He said two cases were presented to the grand jury resulting in indictments (one for receiving stolen property and one involving falsification), and the department conducted 64 traffic enforcement encounters. The department repaired a donated total station and purchased three marked radio scanners using auxiliary funds to replace low-band cruiser radios.

Water and streets updates noted 49 water work orders in April, completion of two grant-funded hydrant replacements (Main and Maysville near Campbells, and Neff’s), and pending final adjustments including tubing and hot mix application after settling. The street department signed a contract for a new salt bin, expects an ODOT donation of about 200 tons of grindings to use for access work, and reported repair of a sinkhole on Clay Street.

Council approved purchase and installation of a steel dump truck bed (quoted at about $33,269) that fits within the $40,000 budget, allowing funds for additional equipment such as emergency lights. Paul Lowe moved to allow Administrator Danny Wiseman to proceed with the purchase; Ed Harlan seconded and the vote was unanimous.