Several firefighters vacated their positions to work for Toledo Fire Division prompting the Springfield Township’s fire chief to seek replacements for them.
At the May 2 board of trustees meeting, Fire Chief Barry Cousino introduced three new part-time employees and moved another parttime employee to full time.
The trustees approved the hiring of Reyes Garcia and Marc Wismer, firefighter/ paramedics at an hourly rate of $24.95. Mr. Garcia has four years experience at Bedford Fire Department and at the Air National Guard, explained the chief, adding that Mr. Wismer has 19 years experience and comes from a department in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Olivia Harrigian also was hired as a firefighter/EMT. She has worked for the Rossford Fire Department for the past 18 months. All three began work May 2.
“We are excited to get these three,” the chief said.
He also received approval to move firefighter/paramedic Brandon Klingshirn to full time at $24.12 per hour. “He was hired part time for us in 2021 and is enrolled in paramedic school now,” Chief Cousino noted.
In addition to the new hires, the trustees accepted the resignation, effective April 1 of Jon Gillen, who left the department to become the assistant chief at Delta Community Fire Department.
Zoning Report
Planning director Jacob Barnes presented his report on zoning activity in April. The department issued 28 permits and collected fees of $2,170. “There was a flurry of new dwellings to round out the month,” he said
Issued last month were eight permits for new dwellings, followed by additions and fencing, three apiece; pools, pole barns, signs and accessory structures, two each, and commercial remodel, one.
Mr. Barnes said he has not heard much more about the home at 341 Harefoote, other than the county building department issued a notice for the owner to apply for a structural permit. With regard to a home on 2339 Heather Glen Drive that neighbors expressed concern about a few months ago, the planning director said a new garage door was installed recently and the property on a recent visit is “still totally secured.”
He added that he has not heard much from the neighbors. “It’s been relatively quiet on that front.”
April proved a busy month in other areas. Colin Carothers, a sophomore at Napoleon High School, job shadowed the director for a day.
“He joined meetings with residents accompanied on inspections, met with business owners, learned about the permit process, had lunch with the chamber of commerce and learned about daily township activities. I think he was very intrigued,” Mr. Barnes said.
Last month the planning director moderated the township caucus for the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments general assembly.
“Two key items mentioned were inconsistencies from county to county on sheriff’s services and the suggestion to modify the law to obligate the sheriff to patrol townships up to a certain population. The second item was the need to change the way ODOT plans projects in townships. Instead of planning projects with no public or local government involvement, townships requested better communication from the state and consultation before decisions are made.”
Mr. Barnes concluded his report by announcing that the JEDZ business advisory council has a new member, Robert DeMatteo. The joint economic development zone council also is seeking one additional member.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Received an update on TARTA’s plans for servicing the township. Trustee Bob Bethel said they have discussed providing service to Eber Road industrial park and Anne Grady Center area and the types of vehicles that will be used in the township. Big buses are unlikely to be used in most areas of the township with the exception of Spring Meadows shopping complex. “It makes sense there,” he noted.
Mr. Bethel also explained that when TARTA starts the expansion process it will begin in the township. “They have been very, very cooperative and willing to listen. I’m pleased with what is going on right now,” he added.
•Discussed but took no action on whether to vacate the paper streets of Kern and Barr located near Holland Sylvania Avenue and Angola Road.
Administrator Mike Hampton said the Toledo Lucas County plan commission recommended vacating the streets, noting that Kern’s width is too narrow to be converted to a road.
“I’m always hesitant to give up existing roads,” Trustee Andy Glenn said, adding, “I don’t see a reason we would want to give it up.”
•Opted not to request a liquor license hearing for Holland Gardens LLC, 6530 Angola Road,
•Approved the payment of bills from April 5 to May 2 totaling, $329,651, which includes the quarterly payment to the Lucas County sheriff’s office of $75,000 for police protection services, and electronic payments from April 1 to April 29 of $647,209, including two biweekly payrolls of $241,751 and $239,943.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, May 16, at the township meeting 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also may be viewed on live stream at the township’s website, springfieldtown ship.net.
