LORDSTOWN — She said her first year as mayor was “a quiet one,” but Jackie Woodward said she, village council and other officials were able to get new contracts approved for employees and also move forward with various projects.

Woodward, speaking at the first council meeting of the new year on Monday, recapped “The State of the Village” in her mayoral report on what was accomplished in 2024. She said officials worked to get new contracts approved and pay raises for employees set for the new year.

“What we decided upon was fair and equitable,” Woodward said.

She said the fire department has been able to continue to build its budget after voters approved a half-percent income tax for various items, including firefighter turnout gear.

Woodward said the Board of Public Affairs and the water department have worked to bring in a new 24-inch waterline to help improve the water demand for customers and prepare for future customers.

She said the water department is seeking a new location for a new water booster station.

Woodward said the police department has been able to get more tasers and body cameras.

“It was a good and nice quiet year. Nothing major happened but we are still working to gain our footing from years past. I feel getting all the contracts done and the employees getting raises shows the future will be good,” she said.

Woodward said her first year as mayor went well as she has become “well acclimated to the job.”

SEEKING POLICE

Police Chief Brent Milhoan, marking his 21st year as chief, said it has been very difficult to get new police officers, noting that five to 10 years ago, there would be 20 to 30 people in the police academies at Kent State and Youngstown State universities seeking jobs and now those finishing the programs at the academies have full-time jobs waiting for them.

“Things are different now. There are not enough applicants for all the full-time jobs out there. The graduates from the academy are getting the jobs quickly. There is no one for part-time jobs since they get full-time jobs,” he said.

Milhoan said there often ends up being overtime because of a shortage of officers to cover shifts.

The department is advertising for three full-time police officers.

Milhoan said there are some departments, including Boardman and Canfield, that pay for cadets to go to the police academy training as long as the person agrees to work a minimum of three years with their department when training is completed.

“We are competing with every police department out there,” he said.

Milhoan said if someone leaves a department before the three-year commitment is completed, they have to pay the cost of the training.

The village also is seeking firefighters and approved advertising for two firefighters to fill openings.