Cook reports record month for Gratis Fire

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GRATIS — Gratis Village Council passed an emergency resolution for budgeting expectations for the village fire department after receiving the remaining funding of $23,000 from the department’s contract with the Gratis Township Trustees.

During the meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15, council declared it necessary to approve the resolution as an emergency, allowing them to waive the second and third readings of the amendment.

Fire Chief Andy Cook reported the department responded to 16 calls in the month of September, a new record for the department.

The department also recently went through its annual testing, and according to Cook all three trucks passed pump testing and all the department’s ladders passed inspection.

Cook also informed council two sections of hose failed inspection and were removed from service.

Cook told council the department recently hosted a fire prevention night where they passed out 145 packets for fire safety and prevention.

Council approved a motion to have a traffic study conducted by the Ohio Department of Transportation to explore the possibility of changing stop signs and lights within the village to four-way stops.

Mayor David Johnston reported the following from September’s Mayor’s Court: $592.50 went to the State of Ohio, $22.50 went to the city of Eaton, and $2.239.10 went to the village.

Police Chief Jeff King reported all the three units of the department are back in service and will be on duty during the village’s Beggars Night on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Village Administrator Dale Smith reported he met with a representative from the village’s insurance company who suggested changes to the village buildings, like mounting fire extinguishers on the wall.

Bill Hutton from Preble County Home is the Foundation organization spoke to the board about several programs being offered within the county.

Hutton left applications at the village office for the Senior Home Repair project, a program available to people age 60 and older to receive assistance in repairs to their homes if they meet certain requirements.

The program has currently assisted 120 residents in the county but only three have had a Gratis zip code.

Hutton reported over 50 percent of housing in the county was built prior to the 1960s and 55 percent of homeowners in the county are seniors.

Gratis Village Council meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at the village office, at 7 p.m.

By Austin Schmidt

[email protected]

Reach Austin Schmidt at 937-683-4062 or on Twitter @aschmidt_RH.

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