Fire Chief Jason Ely began duties

Strasburg Fire Chief Jason Ely began duties Oct. 1. Ely was hired in August; however, his duties were delayed due to a physical exam. Ely will address the part-time staffing shortage at the fire station. He plans to work 40 hours per week at Strasburg and continue duties at the Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department, under their pay, where he is a lieutenant. He also is a fire safety instructor at Buckeye Career Center. He will earn $33.11 per hour.

Ely gave a report for September. The firefighters/EMTs responded to 54 calls, and 39 were emergency services. To date the fire department has responded to 513 calls. Ely takes over new leadership after former Fire Chief Steven Laskey resigned in June to take a position with the Canal Fulton Fire Department.

“My priority is to cover shifts,” Ely said.

Ely returned to the fire station in the evening on Oct. 1 as no one was available for duty.

After a closed-door session, council agreed to continue to pay Capt. Maria Boswell for the next three months until Ely gets established.

Mayor Bruce Metzger speaks

Mayor Bruce Metzger did not ask for a closed-door session and informed council former Fire Chief Steven Laskey did not make a payment for his schooling in September or October as stated in an agreement. He authorized filing a claim for the balance of the cost of the classes. Several council members suggested contacting Laskey before filing any claims.

Metzger authorized Police Chief Dave Warrick to contact the village prosecutor about a situation on South Wooster Avenue concerning a resident being harassed by a neighbor feeding squirrels and feral cats on their property and doing damage to a property next door.

“I saw the neighbor open the window and throw cat food on the front porch,” Metzger said.

Council also did the following:

—Heard police officer Nathan Wood has resigned effective Oct. 1.

—Learned there were inquiries about locating a cannabis-processing site in the village. An ordinance was passed that no recreational or medical marijuana sites could locate in the village. Village zoning inspector Ted Foster said people don’t think this can reach a small town. Council member Dustin Briggs thought council should consider a site to generate additional funds.

—Passed a resolution to apply for financial assistance from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to obtain a park grant for improvements for trail equipment. Metzger said he would like residents' input about placing exercise equipment at the park.

—Learned Newton Asphalt will return to the village on Oct. 14 to complete the paving.

—Heard the projected cost to replace waterlines on Bodmer Avenue is about $2 million.

—Heard Koorsen Fire Security, Dualcom Monitoring System was completed Sept. 25.

Other information

The police responded to 158 calls in September. Cpl. Connor Bailey asked residents be patient with police as they are in the process of hiring police officers.

Trick or treat will be held Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m. Those participating should turn on a porch light, and children should be accompanied by an adult.

The athletic banners have been installed on the AEP poles on Wooster Avenue. There are 48 banners presenting 90 athletes. Metzger said he would like to install veterans banners on the poles.

Fire hydrants will be flushed at the end of October or early November.

Leaf cleanup will begin Nov. 12 and end Dec. 11. Do not rake leaves into the street or park vehicles around raked leaves. Employees will not pick them up. Only leaves are accepted — no sticks or branches. Residents on Wooster Avenue should rake leaves to an access such as a side, back alley or street on the property. Do not place leaves in the curb strip on Wooster Avenue.

The next meeting will be held Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.