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WEATHERSFIELD -- Township trustees have ratified new three-year agreements with the police union and road departments workers.
Township administrator David Rouan said at Tuesday's trustees meeting the new agreements, effective Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2026, are with the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, which represents four road workers, and the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, which represents 10 police officers.
Rouan said employees of both unions will receive a 4.5% increase the first year, 3% the second year and 3% the third year.
He said the first-year increase of 4.5% will bring a road mechanic to $24.51 per hour, cemetery sexton to $23.97 per hour, truck driver class 1 to $23.31 per hour, and truck driver class 2 to $20.93 per hour.
For the police department, the first year increase of 4.5% will bring a patrol officer to $28.41 per hour, sergeant to $30.68 per hour and lieutenant to $33.14 per hour.
Both unions also will have Juneteenth added as a legal holiday.
Rouan said the fire department is volunteer.
Trustees also approved discontinuing the Public Employees Retirement System fringe benefit program township-wide effective Jan. 1. Rouan said police officers and sergeants get salary reduction pickups at no cost to the township.
He said by discontinuing the pickup plan, the township no longer will pick up contributions for other township employees.
PROJECTS APPROVED
In other business, trustees will proceed with refurfacing sections of Ohltown Girard Road and Webb Road through the Ohio Public Works Commission state capital improvement program.
"These are two big projects, To get two projects approved in the same year is good. The township has had a great run in getting funding in the past 10 years," he said.
The first project is improvements and paving of Ohltown Girard Road from state Route 46 (Main Street) to Four Mile Run Road with the local share being $665,154. The second project is Webb Road from the county line to Ohltown Mineral Ridge Road, with the local share being $228,986.
He said the projects are covered 80 percent by the state and 20 percent by the local contribution. Rouan said the township received federal highway administration funds toward their contribution for both projects.
Also, trustees approved the purchase of a 2023 Freightliner rescue pumper at $482,344 from Atlantic Emergency Solutions in Virginia.
Trustees will use Freedom Financial of Virginia for the municipal lease purchase with a $65,000 down payment leaving a balance of $417,344 to be financed for eight years at an interest rate of 5.99% with an annual payment of $67,180.
Fire Chief Tom Lambert said the new vehicle will replace a 30-year pumper for which it has become difficult to find parts.
Officials said passage of a fire levy helped make the purchase possible.
Last May, voters supported an additional 3.95-mill fire, police and emergency medical service levy that raises $655,300 per year and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $138.25 per year.
"This new vehicle will serve us and the community well," Lambert said.
He said the vehicle will have a dual purpose as a fire engine and rescue vehicle.