PHOTO BY INDIA KENNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
POLICE EQUIPMENT … Village council members had the opportunity to feel the weight behind a nearly 60 pound weighted well armored vest which the MPD can utilize. This vest can offer more protection in certain situations verses their regular standard vests.
By: India Kenner
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Village Council held a regular meeting on Monday June 24, 2024 at 6 pm at the Montpelier Fire Department.
After roll call, a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance the meeting kicked off with Mayor Yagelski making sure that everyone in attendance received an amended copy of the agenda that was emailed that morning by Clerk of Council Molly Collert.
Council members Kevin Motter, Melissa Ewers, Heather Freese, Chris Kannel, Nathan Thompson, Don Schlosser were present as well as the Law director Robert Bohmer and Village Manager Jason Rockey and a few members of the community. The council approved the amended agenda.
Next, the council approved the minutes from the June 10th meeting. With no comments from the audience or council, Montpelier Police Chief Dan McGee took the floor to discuss the annual reports concerning the MPD.
Chief McGee explained the staffing situation at the department and how the department is adjusting roles to fit the needs of the force. The department started the year off with nine full-time officers and ended the year with seven after shifting and retirements as well as officers moving to other positions in other counties.
The department did have part-time officer Duane Cluckey go full-time as rank of sergeant to help fill the staffing void. The force employed a new canine handler (Tyler) in 2023 as well as found a temporary solution for the Montpelier Schools SRO (certified retired officer Rich) while they searched for a candidate for that position.
Despite the staffing issues, the force kept a strong community relations program the full-time staff added ninety-two extra hours of community service.
Chief McGee spoke highly of the elite reserve unit (which is all volunteers), because they racked up another 1,400 hours of community service.
McGee discussed projects such as the 4×4 team (which is reserves) and their journey to obtain certification for search and rescue by NASAR as well as in April 2023 launching the New Report Management System which was a two-year project that they collaborated with IT Mike Levy.
This system makes the force fully mobile, and they can access data and communicate with other departments. McGee also commented on what a great asset Levy is to Willams County.
Next up, McGee talked about the well operating and highly maintained fleet giving kudos to the village mechanic Chris Hinkle. With 2020 being the last time the department purchased vehicles or requested them. The department has a 2013 Explorer, 2019 Taurus, three 2020 Explorers, 93 Ford Utility truck and a UTV.
In February the MPD held its 11th annual Honor and Awards Banquet with many awards and certificates being presented. The keynote speaker was Judge Karen Gallagher whose message was well received by the audience.
MPD recognized two individuals for the Community Partnership Award. Cheryl Burlew of Miller’s New Market for charitable acts and IT Mike Levy for his dedicated work to get the new system up and running.
Shifting back to the staffing needs McGee explained the changes and different things they are trying for recruitment and retention such as a pay scale change as well as stipend for specialized jobs and training.
McGee presented some of the assets for the specialized training which included a laptop which has specialized software that can be used as a lie detector it gauges the AM and FM radio waves that your voice emits.
The software determines the strength of those waves from the response and determines if it is truthful or deceitful. This asset takes up to 80 hours of training.
Three more assets presented were an UAW (drone) which can be used for crash scenes, search and rescue, aiding the fire department, missing persons and apprehensions.
A Throw Phone which works off of cell phones to be used for hostage and non-hostage negotiations. A well armor vest (which weighs close to 60 lbs) was passed around to the council members so they could tell the difference and protection it would offer opposed to the regular standard issued vest.
In addition to the specialized jobs for recruitment and retention the department is focusing on wellness by adding more programs to support mental health.
Chief McGee was asked about the laws concerning marijuana by the public concerning what is legal vs. illegal. The state of Ohio is still deciding on regulations. The Law Director Robert Bohmer explained different laws and codes and how ordinances may vary from town to town.
The council members and McGee briefly discussed studies that were conducted by the University of Michigan and how the legalization of marijuana has affected the state and the amount of illegal marijuana.
McGee went on to say that MPD has made arrests this year for illegal possession of marijuana. No further questions were asked to Chief McGee.
Jason Rockey explained the amendment to the agenda which was a Then and Now purchase order in the amount of $6,122.63 to Miller Body Shop for a police cruiser that had damage from hitting a deer. This was covered by an insurance claim but there was an error with the purchase order, but it was quickly resolved.
The council was all in favor for Resolution 1401 – a 0.2 % Fire and Police Tax Levy. However, the council voted down Ordinance 2274 – rezoning 602 Mill Street from R-2 one and two residential district to M1 Light Industrial District.
Council members Melissa Ewers and Chris Kannel explained the concerns that putting storage units at that property would not benefit the village because of the current housing crisis and employment needs behind the reason why they voted this ordinance down.
The council meeting concluded with Rockey giving the village manager’s report which included updates on the ongoing construction of the Iron Horse River Trail.
The village is also comparing quotes to choose a contractor for alley paving. Mayor Yagelski made the motion to enter into the executive session to discuss Personnel Employment ORC 121.22 (G) (1).
Council meeting adjourned at 6:53 pm. The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 8th.
