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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- Seeking to increase numbers in the fire and police departments, township trustees this week hired additional part-time staff.
Trustee Ed Anthony said it has been challenging for the township and many communities to find and keep staff for the fire, police and road departments.
Trustees on Tuesday hired Eric Setlele and Travis Sheese as part-time police officers at $15 per hour; and Ambrosia St. John, Anthony Moore and Christy Lee Briggs as part-time basic emergency medical technicians at $12 per hour.
Byron Shutt also was hired as part-time road supervisor / cemetery sexton at $20 per hour.
Trustee Chairman Ryan Yoho said the departments are seeing staff leave for other jobs that pay more.
Having more staff helps replenish each department, he added.
Anthony said some police are expected to leave shortly for full-time positions in Warren city, which he said offers a $10,000 signing bonus and more money per hour.
Fire Chief Joseph Natali said the additional staff will help get more shifts covered. He said the department recently lost staff to Lordstown, Newton Falls and other communities,
Anthony said police Chief Ben Harrell has been working extra hours as police officers nearing retirement are using their remaining time off or vacation. He said a sergeant is retiring after 32 years.
"We are doing what we can to get additional staff to help keep our community safe," he said.
Resident Daryl Parker said he is concerned that people come and work in the township and receive training -- and then leave.
Anthony said people have the right to better themselves.
"I can understand someone going to Warren and making $7 more an hour. Aurora offers $32 per hour," Anthony said.
The staff shortages in fire, police and road departments have residents concerned as officials have said the fire department has had to rely on mutual air from nearby departments to respond to calls.
"We have coverage but not what we would like to have," Natali said. "We have people who work other full-time jobs or have left for other fire departments where they can have higher wages."
The road department is also low on numbers. Resident Shawn Shook said he is concerned about the deparment being down to two staff members.
Trustee Kay Anderson said at one time the road department had nine staff members -- the most in more than 20 years.
Residents agreed a problem many communities face is people do not want to work or volunteer.
SIGN AT CENTER
In other business, officials reported a new sign has been placed by the Johnson Community Center to honor Kathy Baltes, who volunteered with local youth and with softball and baseball programs.
Baltes, who died in 2021, was a cornerstone of the community in several ways for some 48 years with Trumbull Youth Baseball and Softball.
Officials said Baltes aimed to ensure every child who wanted to play could do so by providing helmets and other equipment to athletes who could not afford them.
Anthony said an official dedication of the sign will be held spring 2024.
Trustees said they are seeking a grant for a new roof at the center, which would cost $80,000.
The community center was also recently pressure washed as were benches and new steel roofs on the ballfield dugouts.