By: Bill O’Connell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
On May 20, 2016, just four days before the regularly scheduled Swanton Village Council meeting, the Village and suspended Fire Chief Howard Meyers reached an agreement whereby Mr. Meyers would be separated from all employment with the Village. The suspension was handed down with a unanimous vote by the Village Council during the April 25 council meeting after Mayor Ann Roth brought forth nine charges against the Chief, most stemming from a romantic relationship with an employee under his supervision.
During the council meeting on May 23, Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle read the following press release. “The Village of Swanton is committed to providing excellent services, by its respective Departments, to its many residents. With the recent separation of the Fire Chief, the Village of Swanton has entered into an agreement to hire a Fire Consultant for a period of one year to review operations within the Swanton Fire Department (SFD). The Fire Consultant will be the Chief Executive Officer of the SFD and coordinate all activities within the Department.”
Once read, Ms. Hoelzle further announced the Village had hired Mike Wolever for the position of Fire Consultant for the one-year period with a salary of $50,000. Mr. Wolever brings with him a long list of stellar credentials having served over thirty-three years with the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department, the last four as Fire Chief after replacing the retiring Mike Bell. The 67 year-old, who retired from the TFD in July of 2011, will assume his duties effective immediately. With one member absent, the council voted 5-0 to approve the hiring.
In other Fire Department news, three individuals who have received certifications within the past six months were approved for wage increases. Kayla Seigneur received Firefighter I certification and a $0.10 per hour wage increase. Joe Buehrer received a Fire Instructor certification and a $0.25 per hour wage increase and Jamie Blake received a Firefighter II certification and a $0.15 per hour wage increase.
The Water Department had to quickly hire another operator when Ross Stambaugh, who had recently accepted a job offer, rescinded that offer in a written letter to the Village. Jeff Harmon, who was a candidate in the initial round of applicants, was offered and accepted the job in the Water Distribution Plant with a rate of $21.87 per hour. Mr. Harmon has a Class III water license and thirteen years of experience. The hiring is contingent upon the results of a background check and a drug test and is subject to a one-year probationary period.
Police Chief Adam Berg is looking to hire a part-time patrol officer to replace Lee Kusz who was recently promoted to full-time. The Village has posted the position which will offer a starting rate of $14.71 per hour. Interviews of potential candidates are expected to be conducted between June 8-17. Chief Berg will also be working with Ms. Hoelzle over the next few months evaluating the Department’s staffing needs.
The Council voted to fill several other positions as well. Shannon Mack was hired as a part-time seasonal employee to help with gardening and landscaping on Village property for ten hours per week and $10.00 per hour. Dennis Brown will take on the duties of the Code Compliance Officer receiving $15.00 per hour for up to ten hours per week and Charles Erdman will fill a vacated position on the Planning Commission that will expire in December of 2018.
In other items of interest, the Public Service Committee recommended the Village Administrator draft an ordinance to increase the $25.00 utilities disconnect fee, currently the lowest in the county, to $50.00
The Council approved the Property Casualty Insurance Renewal for 2016-2017. The coverage offered by Ohio Plan Risk Management Inc. will carry a premium cost of $66,490, a decrease of $390.00 from last year.
The new Community Center is nearing completion and public rental policies and fees will soon be determined. Ms. Hoelzle has surveyed the rental fees of several similar venues in the area and will use that data to make a recommendation to the Council. She has also suggested that Village residents should be charged a lower fee for the center than non-residents.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM. The next scheduled meeting is June 6, 2016.
Bill O’Connell may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com