Strasburg hires Ely as new fire chief
Strasburg Village Council hired Jason Ely as the new fire chief, effective Aug. 20, during the Aug. 6 meeting. Council member Jeff Smith said at an Aug. 2 meeting that council discussed allowing the ordinance to have a second reading so residents could weigh in. Terry Seeberger administered the oath of office to Ely.
“Other council members were aware we were going to ask for a second reading,” Smith said.
At that point Mayor Bruce Metzger said, “We have to wait another two weeks to hire a chief when we have a man here that wants the job.”
Council members Marty Zehnder and Liz Dreher wanted a revote. After much discussion Smith and council member Kathy Burrier agreed to suspend the rules and later passed the ordinance as an emergency. Dustin Briggs voted no on both issues. Smith said it was nothing against Ely, but they wanted the residents’ input.
“The chief is the guy that puts all the systems in place to service residents. Right now you’ve got nobody in the leadership position to bring that all together. You’re worrying too much about yesterday. Turn the page,” Bolivar Fire Chief Shawn Lynch said.
Ely is a lieutenant in the Bolivar Fire Department, works for the Mineral Sandy Joint Fire Ambulance District and is a fire instructor at Buckeye Career Center. He resides near Mineral City with his wife Heather. He will serve a six-month probationary period. Ely said he will get an Ohio paramedic certification within three years. He is currently an advanced emergency medical technician. He will receive $33.11 per hour and three weeks of vacation each year from his start date.
“I want to work on recruiting and keep going in the right direction,” Ely said.
Currently, Capt. Maria Boswell is acting Strasburg fire chief, and it was noted she is doing a good job. The remaining 19 members have been covering the calls to help fill in the gap, but it is only temporary as all the members have full-time jobs elsewhere. Lt. Colin Trout said there are only so many on the roster and they are doing the best to function at the fire department.
Council also did the following:
—Learned Burrier has applied for two grants from Reeves and Rosenberry for pickleball courts. A Kimble Foundation grant also has been requested by Mike Rosenberry for a pickleball court.
—Passed a resolution hiring Aubrey Hendershot as an emergency medical technician.
—Passed a resolution authorizing an interim pay increase for fire department employees doing work that is ordinarily above and beyond their normal work duties.
—Passed, as an emergency, a resolution hiring crossing guards Patty Gerber, Michelle Dickerhoof and Donna Rieger for the 2024-25 school year, effective immediately.
—Heard the emergency siren installation is ongoing, and once AEP power requirements have been completed, Federal Signal is ready to install the sirens.
—Learned the cost of the parking lighting, prior to the summer festival, was $4,790.
—Heard a permit for an asphalt extension at the Fourth Street Southeast sidewalk is completed across the railroad track and has been submitted to RJ Corman Railroad Company. The permit is $500, and the village should learn if it is approved in 30-90 days.
—Approved a separate wall be constructed at the garage at the wastewater treatment plant. The wall will divide the building between the dumpster and new sealed room. A door will be added along with installation at a cost of $22,850. Cambridge Overhead Door will install a panel door vice and a roll-up door at a cost of $6,600. Electrical work and plumbing will cost from $5,000-$7,000. This will allow employees to work inside a closed building in inclement weather.
Other information
The park committee will meet Aug. 20 at 4:30 p.m.
Police responded to 229 calls in July.
Council member Wes Hostetler thanked fiscal officer Jennifer Mahoney for all she does for the village.
The next Strasburg Village Council meeting will be Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.
