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Council votes to pursue mediation with Township amid Fire/EMS staffing concerns
Summary
Council President Chris Szell said a recent Township proposal would shift decision-making power to the Township; council authorized formal mediation and staff reported promotions and training within the Hiram Fire Department.
Council authorized village leaders to enter formal mediation with the Township over Fire/EMS service arrangements after prolonged negotiations and a disputed Township proposal. The vote to allow the Mayor, Council President Szell and other council members to enter mediation passed 6-0. Mayor Leigh Haynam and council members approved contacting the Township attorney to propose mediators.
Council President Chris Szell said the recent plan presented by the Township “ensures that the Township would have all decision-making powers,” a configuration he said the Village cannot accept as currently written. Fire Chief Marotta told the council he expects one to two new hires, is promoting three firefighters to lieutenants — Vince McClimans, Cole Beason and Adam Wracher — and said six staffers are enrolled in paramedic school. Public commenter Elena Brown urged caution, saying she had “heard rumors about the Village moving forward without an agreement with the township” and expressed concern about how the Village will pay for department staffing. The fiscal officer reported the Township has paid for services through August 17, 2026; the contract currently expires that day.
