EXPLAINING GRANT … Rudy Ruiz of Resource Management Consultants addresses Swanton Village Council to present the details of the SAFER grant and a plan for professional development training for the Swanton Fire Department. (PHOTO BY REBECCA SCHWAN, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Schwan
Swanton Village Council passed an emergency resolution authorizing the submission and support of an application to FEMA for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant at its regular meeting on Monday, March 8.
The application for $11,000 in funding for professional development training will be filed by Mr. Rudy Ruiz of Resource Management Consultants.
Mr. Ruiz outlined details of the proposed six- to 12-month training which includes an assessment of department operations and coaching to improve communications, recruitment, and retention.
The cost of the training should be fully funded by the SAFER grant. Council will reassess the program if the Village receives a partial grant, or the proposal is declined.
The Village continues to work with Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that compliance guidelines are met for the ongoing sewer separation project.
The Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP), which began in 2012 following an EPA mandate, is now approximately 75-percent complete. Projects 8 & 9, the largest in the plan will begin as a part of the next phase of the LTCP. Residents are encouraged to register for the free CivicReady service to receive timely construction updates via text, call or email.
Information is available on the Village website. In other Village business, Village Administrator, Rosanna Hoelzle reported that while many Village employees have chosen to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the virus is still active in the community.
As a result, council approved the extension of the Family First Coronavirus Response Act through May 31 for Village employees whose ability to work may be affected by a positive COVID-19 test or exposure quarantine.
The Act permits employees to take up to 40 hours of leave without affecting their vacation or sick time balances. Members approved the First Reading Resolution 2021-XX: authorizing the Village Administrator to submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement programs and enter into any agreements as required for Crestwood Road improvements.
The Village will resume facility rental, brush pick-up and water shut-offs in April. Residents who are currently behind on their water bill are encouraged to call the Village office for balance inquiries and payment options.
Additionally, Council will explore partnering with a public relations agency to assist with responding to inquiries and other communications needs within the Village.
To close the March meeting, Council entered an executive session where they approved the hire of Brian Groves and Cuyler Kepling for full-time positions with the Swanton Fire and Rescue Division effective April 4, contingent on the completion of a successful background check and drug screen.
The next regular meeting of the Swanton Village Council is 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22.
Council will then reconvene at 6:00 p.m. on April 5 for an emergency meeting to review bids and award the construction contract for the Safe Routes to School project that includes the installation of sidewalks, Z-gates at the railroad crossing, improvements to school zone signage and crosswalk improvements. Work is expected to begin later this year.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com