LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP — Liverpool Township Fire Chief Jacob Russell announced at Tuesday’s Liverpool Township Board of Trustees meeting that the Liverpool Township Volunteer Fire Department received a $40,000 radio grant.

According to Russell, the grant is for MARCS radios, which will be a secondary radio system for the department, and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bahen obtained the grant for the department through the state fire marshal office.

Russell also noted that the department received equipment consisting of 10 lights and one pair of boots purchased through Phoenix Safety Outfitters using the OTARMA Grant. Five of the survivor stream lights were passed out to each station for the new firefighters.

Russell and Bahen worked together to submit the VFA Grant application through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for 20 sections of forestry hose, six fire helmets and six pairs of boots.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) AFG grant application has been submitted with quotes from Phoenix Safety Outfitters for 20 sets of gear, helmets, gloves, boots and more.

Russell said that Buckeye Mechanical finished the work on the heating at Station 8 and the firefighters are keeping an eye on it over the next few days to make sure everything is working.

“With Thanksgiving upon us Thursday, on behalf of the Liverpool Township Fire Department, I want to remind the community and or citizens of the township to practice safe cooking habits and always make sure you replace your batteries in your smoke detectors,” Russell said. “Be safe and have a wonderful holiday.”

Police Chief Jared Kinemond asked and was granted approval to upgrade the police department’s Save Ohio Software to the next version. The software is required for the police department to diagram motor vehicle accidents. He noted that he is checking into possibly being able to get it free through the state, but if not then he would need to purchase the upgrade. He was given approval to order the software.

Kinemond let residents know that the power company stopped and told him they would be trimming trees on private property around wires along right of ways.

Kinemond also said that he got the estimates on the cruisers and would speak with fiscal officer Shirley Flati and that it could take three to four months to get a cruiser. He noted that he spoke with a grant writer he has been working with to see what grants would be available to the police department and that she was able to find a lot that could possibly help the department out.

Road Supervisor Chris Bosworth said that some of the hardware for the new signs ordered through the sign grant arrived.

He also said that he needed the trustees to sign a $25,000 bond for a trucking company that would be hauling timber off a township property, and they would be doing that for a couple of weeks.

One of the road department trucks in for service is about 95% finished, and the second truck is coming along right behind that, and they should both be done by the end of December.

Bosworth requested to be able to look and see what a pair of skid steer forks would costs so they wouldn’t have to call St. Clair Township at the last moment when a truck comes in for a delivery to get items unloaded. He noted he is not looking into a purchase right now; he just wants to get a price.

Currently the road department is working on opening up ditches.

Flati, who was absent from the meeting, submitted her report to the trustees to be presented. In her report she said she was performing day-to-day activities, getting ready for year-end, scheduled for the Dec. 5 end of year training with the Ohio State Auditor and encouraged all departments to be selective on purchases since the end of the year is approaching.

During the public portion of the meeting, two residents spoke out with complaints about nuisance properties in the township. The trustees said they could send a letter warning the owner of the 7th Avenue property that they need to clean it up. The other property, since it can’t be seen from the road, the trustees are not able to do anything about it at this time and suggested the resident contact the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding oil seepage from the property as they are the agency who can possibly do something about.

The trustees adopted four resolutions to supplement appropriations for the General Fund, the Police District Fund and the Road and Bridge funds in the amount of $2,000, and for the Fire District Fund in the amount of $1,000, all for contracted services line items.

Bills and warrants in the amount of $67,899.51 were approved for payment.

The Liverpool Township Board of Trustees meets every other Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the township administration building. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9.