Bristol approves raises for EMTs and paramedics

Road department employee, first responders get pay increases

BRISTOL -- Township trustees have approved pay increases for emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

Officials at a recent meeting adjusted the pay for EMTs from $12 to $14 per hour and paramedics from $14 to $16 per hour. Trustees tabled for further review offering a $25 stipend per call answered by volunteer firefighters.

A road department part-time employee also was approved for an increase from $15 to $16 per hour.

In other business, residents complained of loud dogs barking at all hours of the day and night. Ken Weeks of the zoning commission told trustees some noises can't be regulated even though no loud noise are allowed in the township after 9 p.m.

Zoning Inspector Ellen Gordon said the noise problem with dogs and other issues between neighbors is a civil matter.

Weeks said the zoning commission also is addressing political signs on township property being left up after elections are over.

Trustees also approved moving forward with demolition of 6277 state Route 45. Trustees said the structure has been declared unsafe and structurally defective.Both the fire department and county health department inspected the property and found it unfit for human habitation.

In other business, trustees:

• Approved getting a firetruck from Rootstown at $150,000. Fire Chief Steve Craiger said the fire department is seeking as many possible grants as possible for equipment.

• Are continuing interviews for the road supervisor position. Greg Maraczi left the position earlier this summer to accept a position with the county.

• Met with Troy Rhodes, the new representative for Ohio Edison on street light issues.

• Are updating the township zoning maps.

• Approved Lane Shick as a volunteer firefighter.

• Reported surveys are being done to see if there is interest in having a senior center in the township. The earliest a center would be open is 2025.