×

Trustees approve purchase of two new police cruisers

CALCUTTA — St. Clair Township trustees this week agreed to the purchase of two 2018 Ford Interceptor sports utility vehicle cruisers for the police department from Tri-State Ford at a total cost of $62,241, to be paid in 12 quarterly payments through Ford Motor Credit.

Police Chief Brian McKenzie explained that the company is done making 2019 models for this year so they are buying 2018 models, which he expects to be delivered within 8-12 weeks. They will replace cruisers with more than 100,000 miles on them that he said “have been nickle and diming us.”

Also approved for purchase was a new man door at the side of the administration building where the sally port is located to replace one that has had to be repaired several times at a cost of about $600 each time. The door will be purchased from Tri-State Glass for $3,514 which includes the frame, panic bar and rewiring of electronic pass codes.

Trustees also approved up to $3,000 for the year for conferences, travel expenses and continuing education costs. They will be headed to Columbus later this month for a three-day township association conference.

During the aforementioned conference, trustees indicated they will be speaking with Ohio Department of Transportation officials about the possibility of a new stop light system at the major intersections along state routes in the township that would allow emergency responders to activate traffic lights, stopping traffic in the event of an emergency to allow for their vehicles to get through the intersections safely and quickly.

Calcutta Fire Chief Dave McCoy mentioned the system during the meeting, saying he believed trustees have to approve such a system and with Swickard saying they will bring it up at the conference.

Hall said he had been asked why there are still school zone signage along state Route 7 even though Beaver Local School is now on Bell School Road, and road foreman Scott Barrett said it is because the district’s athletic facilities are still located on the state route.

Barrett said some have also questioned why there is no flashing school zone light on Bell School Road, with McCoy suggesting that trustees might want to ask ODOT about that during the conference in Columbus.

McCoy reported that he has been contacted about the township’s ISO rating and has been advised it will be retested, which has not been done in many years. This will be based on a multitude of aspects, such as firefighter training, trucks, equipment, hydrants, flow rates and more.

He said he can’t imagine the ISO rating being worse since the township has added hydrants and waterlines in several areas but said he is “doing his homework” to prepare for the evaluation.

Meanwhile, McCoy said his department responded to 207 calls in 2018, down from the previous year, while Glenmoor Fire Chief Bill Bennett reported his department to 260 calls in 2018, up from the previous year’s 250 calls.

McKenzie reported his department logged 2,639 calls during 2018, which he said was consistent with other years.

Fiscal officer Deb Dawson reported that a nuisance property on Belmont Avenue failed an inspection by the county health department and the issue has now been referred to the county prosecutor’s office.

In financial matters, trustees approved payment of bills totaling $53,557.42, of which $38,430.21 went for payroll.

It was reported the offices will be closed Jan. 21 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today