PERRY TOWNSHIP — Perry Township Trustees president Missy Mears introduced and congratulated recently appointed board member Blaine Heeter at the beginning of the April 11 regular trustees meeting.
Heeter replaces Jason Hartshorn, who resigned the position on March 10.
Trustees selected Heeter from a field of 11 township residents who applied for the position.
He is employed as supervisor over the 18 trade & industry and graphic arts programs at Miami Valley Career Technology Center. He also is on the adjunct faculty at Sinclair Community College.
The trustees also recognized Erica Barga as interim police chief until a new chief can be hired, following the recent dismissal of Tim Littleton from that position.
Barga requested a resolution to restructure the police department, and said she is seeking a grant to offer Police Officer Wynn a pay increase of $1.25 to his $19.75 salary, bringing it to $21 per hour.
This added amount is requested to cover care and handling of the police department’s new K-9 Officer, Odie, whose handler is Wynn.
Barga also said that Police Officer Brian Douglas, who had been on probationary, one-year, full-time status, is being released from his position.
Roads and Cemetery Director Caleb Hoops reminded township residents who plan to place flowers and decorations at gravesites on Memorial Day that they must place them only on the headstones and not on the grassy areas.
Hoops requested a resolution to hire Russell Fowler as a part-time employee at $16 per hour, effective the current pay period. The resolution was approved.
Zoning Officer Karen Kayler wanted to let residents know the monthly trash bills had been mailed out.
Later in the meeting, Finance Officer Charity Grill apologized to trustees and township residents for not being aware of a lawsuit from 2019, Bertelson vs Perry Township, brought for violation of the Sunshine Law.
Some payments already had been made to resident Bonnie Bertelson and the Finney Law Firm of Cincinnati, who brought the suit.
When Grill was appointed finance officer, she was unaware of the suit and the large amount of money that was due.
“First of all, at the end of 2021, when I was appointed, there were extenuating circumstances of very limited records and a lack of software. It was because of this that I was not aware of the items,” Grill said.
“So, I want to donate $250 from my salary through the end of the year, which would amount to $2,500,” she said.
Resident Manfred Schreyer requested to be removed from the Zoning Committee and be moved to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which meets next on Aug. 22. The trustees granted approval.
Trustee Zach Music said he had met with Rumpke Waste and Recycling concerning the new contract with the township, which will most likely involve a price increase.
Music said he also has met with a company to see what can be done to bring some form of broadband service to the township.
The next regular Perry Township meeting will be at 6 p.m. on May 9 at the Perry Township Administration Building at 3025 Johnsville Brookville Road, Brookville.
