VIENNA — A township trustee resigned at a work session meeting Wednesday, despite the fact audits remain incomplete.

Trustee Robert Root said his resignation was effective immediately.

“I did not turn to this decision lightly,” he said. “I feel as though I have no choice but to make this decision.”

He said his decision to resign was influenced by his family and his priest.

“You may be aware I’m the owner of a business and (a) member of St. Louis Parish and the father of three beautiful girls and the husband to my wife and I feel as though I’ve been neglecting my duties as a father, a husband and a man of God,” Root said. “I feel the township deserves someone at this time that can give 110%.”

Root said his doctor also influenced his decision and that stress from serving the township as well as other responsibilities has impacted his health.

“I’d like to thank the people of Vienna Township for giving me the opportunity to be a township trustee,” he said. “I want to assure you that the people you currently have in charge have the best interest of Vienna at heart. I believe they will do everything they can to move the township forward in a positive manner.”

He “respectfully requested no questions” afterwards.

Trustee Phil Pegg said they will be accepting resumes for Root’s position, which can be delivered to the Vienna Township Trustees, P.O. Box 593, Vienna, OH 44473, and must arrive no later than May 3.

In other action, Vienna Township Fire Chief Brannon once again asked trustees to hire back his laid-off employees.

“I would like to talk to somebody once in a while because I feel like I’m out there in the ocean by myself,” Brannon said. “We need to get these people back and not only that, the schedule’s supposed to come out next week and nobody’s signed up for it yet.”

The month of April has approximately nine days where the station is closed or has limited staffing for certain a.m. or p.m. shifts and the station was closed last weekend for 36 hours. The station is set to be closed for 24 hours on April 25 and April 27, as listed on the schedule.

Brannon also expressed his need for new tires on his fire vehicle, stating he has to fill his tires with air daily.

Brannon and Pegg agreed that Brannon would get a quote on the tires.

In other business, township police Chief Bob Ludt announced that previously purchased radios currently still remain unpaid for by the township, despite having a grant for it.

He said he found out it was unpaid when he called the radio company Monday.

When asked if those payments were mailed out yet, Shay said no but that he was going to check on it.