PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SHAKING IT UP … A personnel swap at the Swanton Police Department approved by the Swanton Village Council will have School Resource Officer Troy Stewart moved back to road patrol duties while Sgt. Lee Kusz voluntarily resigns from his supervisory position to become the new school resource officer.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
After a lengthy executive session to discuss it and other issues, the Swanton Village Council approved a change in the Swanton Police Department’s school resource officer.
The council approved the voluntary resignation of Sgt. Lee Kusz, from his supervisory role as well as his reinstatement as a patrol officer, effective immediately, in addition to his appointment as the new school resource officer. In the new role, he will move from hourly pay to an annual salary of $66,500.
Kusz is a Bulldog alumnus, having graduated from Swanton High School in 2007.
Troy Stewart, who has been serving in the role since November, was reassigned to road patrol duties. The change includes his being taken off salary exempt status and reinstated to an hourly wage of $32.85.
Responsibilities for the school resource officer include maintaining a monthly activity report, attending after-school home functions such as sports as needed, patrolling parking lots before and after school hours, performing ongoing security checks of all school buildings, and helping establish emergency operation plans and school site plans for all events at all Swanton schools.
FIRE AND RESCUE DIVISION
Fire Chief Cuyler Kepling reported that the recent ISO assessment of the Swanton Fire and Rescue Division resulted in an improvement from 5/5Y to 4/4Y. The rating affects, among other things, insurance rates for property owners.
“We’re ecstatic about that,” Kepling said. According to Kepling, the village rates well against departments of a similar size, matching the ratings of Delta and Napoleon.
He also reported that the department received a silver award for excellence in training management as part of the Lexipol Connect Recognition Program.
RESIDENT DRIVEWAY ISSUES
Hickory Street resident Gerald Zalecki addressed the council about the reconstruction of the end of his driveway following a sewer project on his road, stating his driveway was not repaired properly, nor in the same manner as his neighbors’ driveways.
Zalecki, who said he has lived in the village for 25 years, said he addressed the apparent dissimilarities with the contractor when the work was being done, but that his concerns were ignored. He said he now wants the village to have it appropriately repaired, or he will take the village to small claims court.
Mayor Neil Toeppe said the issue will be looked into and options brought before the council for a decision.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fiscal Officer Holden Benfield reported a new cybersecurity law affecting the village had been passed, effective September 30, and that the village was already caught up on the required hardware and software changes, with training and an emergency plan the only things left to be developed to be fully compliant.
The council approved a handful of appropriations, including $335,000 for the full planned funding of the streets contingencies fund, $10,500 for retention pond maintenance, and the moving of $25,000 within police funds to correct underfunding of police communications. Another planned allocation to cover pothole repair was cancelled after it was determined that money could be reallocated within existing funds.
Police Chief John Trejo reported the police department received 376 calls for service in July.
Kepling reported the fire and rescue division received 108 calls for service in July, comprising 72 EMS calls and 36 fire calls, with two working fires – one residential and one commercial.
He said the number of calls was historically low, but that call numbers this month are coming back to the normal trend, and that his department was very busy.
Village Administrator Shannon Shulters reported on several economic developments throughout the village, including upcoming redevelopment of the former Rite Aid property, that an offer has been made on the vacant parcel next to Kroger, and that she was able to make contact with Wendy’s property management, who will be ensuring the lot under development for their new location across the road from Kroger will be mowed shortly.
Shulters reported lane realignment and signal replacement at the intersection of South Main Street and Airport Highway may be delayed until spring 2026 due to material delays.
Shulters reported the village was awarded a $382,500 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation for work on the intersection of South Main Street and Garfield Avenue, but that they would likely pass on the award due to a need to move more quickly than the grant would allow.
With school approaching and the additional steps necessary in projects with ODOT funding, Shulters said, the village will be pursuing quotes for immediate replacement of the traffic signal from U.S. Utilities.
The council approved a maintenance agreement for manhole number nine on Munson Road in coordination with Swancreek Township.
The council approved on first reading of an ordinance updating language regarding the impounding of vehicles by the village. The existing language only includes bicycles, snowmobiles, and motorcycles due to the fact that the village only recently constructed its own impound lot.
The new language covers all vehicles, including automobiles, boats, trailers, recreational vehicles, ATVs, scooters, minibikes, or similar vehicles or property. Impound fees are set by the Ohio Revised Code and are currently $17 per day.
Council members answered questions from residents on the village impound lot, retention ponds, and the Munson Road improvement project.
The next regular meeting of the Swanton Village Council will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 25, at 219 Chestnut Street.