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LIBERTY -- Township trustees approved resignations and hirings of firefighters and paramedics for the Liberty Fire Department at their meeting Friday.
The resignations included full-time firefighter John Corman, who requested to remain part-time, and part-time firefighters Joe Buday and Ralph McMahan, who was injured on duty Nov. 2, 2021.
Matthew Gordon, of Canfield, and John Rongyos, formerly of Tallmadge, were added to the roster.
McMahan's resignation, effective Friday, involved a settlement agreement and release of claims with the board. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in May 2021, but has resigned voluntarily.
Gordon enters his new position with more than 20 years of experience as a firefighter / paramedic, and will be paid a rate of $23 per hour. Rongyos will make $18 to start.
Trustee Devon Stanley also motioned to accept relief money through a Workforce Grant to incentivize new hires, as well as attract new firefighters with signing bonuses. The motion was seconded by trustee Arnold Clebone.
Additionally, Clebone motioned to authorize a letter of support for the Build a Better Belmont strategic development grant. A news release from the U.S. Department of Commerce stated, "the goal of this Strategy Development Grant proposal is to continue to collaborate with residents, multi-sector stakeholders, and anchor institutions to identify strategies that more effectively and intentionally connect residents and businesses along the corridor to economic opportunities."
The release further added, "Belmont avenue is the region's critical connector to employment, education, entertainment and essential services like health care and retail for residents but also for visitors. Reaching across the country from coast to coast, Interstate 80 intersects Belmont Avenue, which ties the region to larger metropolitan areas like New York City and Chicago but also as far away as San Francisco."
The township, with the help of Washington, is looking to enhance the viability of the Belmont corridor for its future.