FIRST RESPONDER REMEMBERED — On Monday, Toronto Council remembered the late Harry “Ed” Gotschall, an emergency medical technician with the TEMS Joint Ambulance District and former Stratton fire chief; with a resolution noting his many years of service. On hand for a presentation of the resolution to his family were, from left, front: Toronto Fire Chief Bill Scheel, Gotschall’s grandson, Brantley; his son, Landon; his wife, Dawn; his daughter, Emerson; and Council President Frank McEwen; and back: Gotschall’s sons, Caleb and Brayden. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — Toronto Council Monday remembered a longtime first responder and learned that plans for a skateboarding park at the city’s north end may hit a snag.

Through its passage of a resolution of sympathy to the family of Harry Edward “Ed” Gotschall, council noted his service to the Stratton Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as chief for more than 25 years; as well as his work as an emergency medical technician in Saline Township and for the TEMS Joint Ambulance District.

Gotschall was employed as a bus mechanic and driver for the Southern Local School District when he died on June 29 at the age of 53.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Council President and former city firefighter Frank McEwen said on his last day as Toronto’s fire chief, Gotschall and others from the Stratton fire department came to the city’s aid and it was one of many times that he did.

“He never hesitated to do whatever needed to be done,” said McEwen.

“It was an honor to have him assist us and to assist him.”

Bill Scheel, Toronto’s current fire chief, said of Gotschall, “He was more than a fireman. He was a guy who didn’t know how to say no.”

Scheel said Gotschall always was ready to help with house repairs or give a ride to someone in need.

He recalled a time, following a heavy rain, when Toronto streets were flooded and the city lacked sufficient pumps to clear them, Gotschall arrived with six.

“If you didn’t get to know him, you missed a heck of a guy,” said Scheel.

Council also heard from Bill Lucas, chairman of the city’s planning and zoning commission.

Lucas noted A.J. Hunt, a Toronto native and business owner, has announced plans to establish a skateboarding park on the empty lot once occupied by the Lincoln School playground on North Fourth Street and has been soliciting donations through social media.

“I don’t have a stance on this skateboarding park,” said Lucas while pointing out zoning for the lot, which is currently residential, will need to change for those plans to move forward.

He said any change in zoning requires a public hearing be held, and there are at least 14 residences in the lot’s vicinity.

“This rezoning may not be a slam-dunk depending on how the public hearing goes,” said Lucas, who said he’d heard Hunt plans to donate the completed park to the city.

Because Lucas’ agency provides liability insurance to the city, he was asked about that issue.

Lucas said several years ago, he learned coverage for such a park would require a separate endorsement requiring an additional $1,000, but he can investigate the current cost.

McEwen said the issue is likely to be discussed at the next meeting of the city’s planning and zoning commission, which will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 8 at the Municipal Building.

Also on Monday:

≤ Council approved the addition of the position of secretary to the police chief to the city’s personnel. The position reflects duties performed by a current staff member, including processing liquor and gaming permit applications and court-ordered fines and forfeitures and bookkeeping for vendors serving the police department, among other clerical tasks.

The position has been filled by a dispatcher who had been performing such duties.

≤ City Police Capt. Anthony Porreca asked council to consider replacing body cameras worn by the city’s officers, saying they have become outdated and at times suffer from power outages.

Plans were made to discuss them at a future finance committee meeting.

≤ Greg Herrick, chairman of council’s recreation committee, and Michael Burkey, chairman of the finance committee, said there are plans to replace dugouts at the city’s Little League ball field with longer ones and install new fencing.

The project is to be funded in part with a $45,000 grant from the Charles and Thelma Pugliese Foundation.

Burkey said plans call for it be advertised in the near future, and leaders of the city’s softball league has supported making its own field available for the Little League’s fall program while the work is done.

Herrick said the joint recreation board comprised of representatives of the city and local school board has moved its regular meetings to 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Karaffa Recreation Center.

≤ Linda Burkey, Toronto’s city services director, said the direct access road to Section 3 of Toronto Union Cemetery will be closed temporarily while crews remove material from two lagoons that service the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

She said other roads extending through the cemetery to the section will remain open.

≤ Council received a letter of praise from resident Patrick Mason for the efforts of Terry and Maureen Catrell and volunteer Mike Yacos to spruce up the city’s swimming pool. He said the efforts have ranged from painting benches to regularly cutting the grass

≤ McEwen wished his mother-in-law, Ruth Hanlin, an early happy birthday, noting she will be 101 on Thursday.