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WINTERSVILLE -- The recent award of a federal grant for a village police officer and an ordinance addressing council members' attendance at meetings were among matters before Wintersville Council on Wednesday.
Mayor Mike Petrella and others applauded the efforts of Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi in securing a $115,000 Community Oriented Policing Services grant, which he said will allow the village to retain an officer for three years.
"We all thank you. I know that was a very hard and tough grant," said Petrella.
Kosegi said from 573 applicants throughout the U.S., COPS grants were awarded to 235 communities, including 13 law enforcement agencies in Ohio.
He noted competition was stiffer a couple of years ago when as Bridgeport's village administrator, he secured one of 180 COPS grants awarded from about 700 applicants.
The grants require a 25 percent match from their applicants.
The grant application also received a boost from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who issued a statement Wednesday expressing his support for $13.5 million in COPS grants to hire or retain 112 law enforcement officers in 13 Ohio communities.
"We fought for these much needed investments to ensure that law enforcement across the state can keep their communities safe. This will enable Ohio communities to hire, retain and train dedicated officers to prevent crime and protect Ohioans," he said.
Brown said he also was part of bipartisan legislation, known as the Fend Off Fentanyl Act, to establish stricter penalties on foreign makers of the narcotic who bring it into the U.S.
Also on Wednesday, council approved an ordinance requiring a mayor or council member who misses more than three meetings in a year to submit an excuse for council's consideration.
If council doesn't accept the excuse, that elected offcial's pay may be reduced by half.
Currently, the mayor's monthly salary before taxes is $750, while each council member's monthly salary is $500.
Petrella said no recent absences led to his decision to introduce the ordinance.
He said the village had a similar ordinance in the past but it was repealed and he believes it should be restored.
Asked whether village officials will be permitted to participate in meetings by phone, a rising trend among area boards in recent years, Petrella said they will not.
In other business:
• Council authorized Optics Consulting to investigate potential aggregate electric rates it may secure for the village, with no commitment at this time from council.
• Petrella and Kosegi said they have decided not to fill three vacant positions in the wastewater department as a cost-saving measure at this time.
Kosegi said five village employees possess the required commercial driver's license to operate equipment for the department, and laborers from other departments have been shared with the wastewater department to complete necessary tasks.
Councilman Randy Spence asked if that approach has resulted in more overtime pay and was told it has not.
• The mayor and village administrator said they lack the time to watch for and respond to questions or concerns posted by residents on social media.
Petrella and Kosegi said instead residents may call or text them. Petrella can be reached at (740) 424-1975, and Kosegi can be contacted at (740) 266-3175 or (740) 264-9738.
• Petrella announced fundraising gun bashes will be held on Sept. 28 by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 97 at the lodge at 341 Kragel Road, Richmond, and on Oct. 5 by Wintersville Fire and Rescue at the St. Florian Event Center.
• Councilwoman Gael Damron announced the Fort Steuben Kennel Association will hold a Trunk or Treat event for dogs on Oct. 13 in the Village Building parking lot and the new dog park behind the building.
The event will include a costume contest, with prize baskets awarded for the cutest, scariest and most original; a pet parade and demonstrations.
The event will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with registration at noon.
Proceeds will go to the Wintersville Police Department's K9 unit.
• It was announced council's next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Village Building.