BROOKFIELD — Township trustees voted 2-1 Monday to extend the contract of police Chief Dan Faustino by six months, which they say will give them time to find his replacement as Faustino plans to retire again this summer.

Trustees Mark Ferrara and Shannon Devitz voted in favor of the six-month extension through June 30 while Trustee Dan Suttles voted against it. Ferrara said one of the priorities in 2024 will be to find a new police chief.

Faustino said he has been with the Brookfield Police Department for 33 1/2 years and has served as chief since January 1997. He said he started part time in 1985 in Brookfield and then worked for the Weathersfield Police Department before returning to Brookfield in 1990.

Suttles said he voted against the six-month extension because the chief already is working under a two-year retire-rehire agreement that ends Dec. 31. He said he is against retire-rehire concept for any employee because it allows someone to collect their retirement while also bringing in additional pay from their current job, also known as “double dipping.”

Suttles said another of his main concerns with retire-rehire is it limits advancement opportunities for younger officers. He said he voted against the original two-year retire-rehire agreement when it was acted upon by then-trustees Gary Lees and Ron Haun in 2021.

Devitz said trustees wanted Faustino to stay for an additional year, but he came back to them stating he would stay six more months. Devitz said this will allow Faustino to see some grants and police department projects move forward.

ARP FUNDS

Trustees also are planning what to do with the township’s remaining American Rescue Plan funds. Ferrara said public meetings will take place to get input on how to use the remaining $400,000. The township had received $863,000.

Suttles said the Wildwood storm sewer project has been earmarked for ARP funds and trustees are waiting to receive funds from Trumbull County commissioners to help with the project, which is aimed at alleviating flooding issues.

Suttles said ARP money will be used to buy generators for the fire department hall and the township administration building, which could be used as warming and cooling stations in the event of an extended power outage. He said $36,000 in ARP funds was used for new slide equipment at the township park and mulch at Jenny Junction play area.

FIRE DEPARTMENT HALL

Trustees are looking to use ARP funds for improvements to the fire department hall. Devitz said things that need to be done in the hall, which is rented out to the public.

She said a deep cleaning needs to be done of the stove and kitchen area.

“The hall rental is a good service we provide to our community,” Devitz said.

She said officials will speak with the fire auxiliary to get its input.

ROAD PROJECTS

In another matter, Road Supervisor Jamie Fredenburg said a $150,000 Issue 1 grant from Ohio Public Works Commission and a $1.8 million interest-free loan will be used for paving 9 miles, or 30 roads, in the township in 2024 and 2025.

Suttles said he is looking at getting a Go Green grant for recyclable containers for the parks and the township center green.

Ferrara said they will speak with a grant writer on what grants can be obtained.

“We have also been meeting with the school superintendent and school officials on what joint projects can be done,” he said.