CLAY TOWNSHIP — The trustees met in executive session with their attorney from Bricker Graydon, of Dayton, concerning the investigation of the police department the trustees are currently conducting.

The executive session, lasting approximately two hours, took place during a special meeting on Monday, April 15.

Trustee president Angela Howell didn’t provide any information on what was discussed during the executive session.

Howell, however, clarified an earlier statement concerning the investigation.

“Before I adjourn the meeting for this evening, I would like a chance to correct my statements made March 22 of 2024 in the article that came out in the Register-Herald,” Howell said.

“There’s a paragraph in there where it states that I said it seems like (part-time zoning administrator) Kevin Garlitz’s raise caused the trustees to quit. I would like the chance to correct that statement,” Howell said.

“Maybe I misspoke. Kevin Garlitz did nothing wrong. Kevin Garlitz has done nothing but serve the community to the best that he could and he presented suitable information that provided the trustees at the time with enough information to say that he deserved the money that was given to him,” Howell said.

“There was a lot of substantiating information and the trustees approved his raise,” Howell said.

“What came next from the Jan. 10 of 2024 meeting is the day that caused the turmoil,” Howell said.

“So I wanted it to be known that Kevin Garlitz in no way shape or form had anything to do with the trustees quitting,” Howell said.

“It was what happened after that that initiated the responses from the trustees and from himself,” Howell said.

“We are very happy to have him back and I appreciate the chance to correct those statements,” Howell said.

On Jan. 8, trustees Winner, Duane Heuker and Ryan Groh approved a pay raise for Garlitz. The trustees also approved a pay increase for police chief John Van Gundy and a promotion to lieutenant and pay increase for police sergeant Tony Scott.

On Jan. 9, the trustees received an email from Van Gundy stating he was resigning from his administrative duties. The trustees also received an email from Scott stating he was turning down the promotion.

On Jan. 10, at a special meeting, Van Gundy, Scott and members of the police department voiced concern with the pay raise given to Garlitz.

On Jan. 11, Winner and Heuker resigned as trustees while Garlitz gave notice he was quitting the part-time zoning administrator position in two weeks. Neither Winner nor Heuker gave an explanation for their resignations.

On Jan. 18, Howell was selected to the trustee seat left vacant by Heuker.

On Jan. 22, Howell and Groh appointed Kevin Wrightsman to the trustee seat left vacant by Winner.

On Feb. 5, Howell and Wrightsman rehired Garlitz as part-time zoning administrator.

On Feb. 22, Winner was appointed to the trustee seat left vacant by Groh, who resigned on Jan. 29.

On March 18, the trustees hired Bricker Graydon.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected].