The second female firefighter in the history of the city of Bellefontaine was sworn-in Tuesday, Feb. 14, ahead of the regular meeting of city council.
The addition of Erica VanHoose to the Bellefontaine Fire Department represents the third and final first responder to be paid for by FEMA’s SAFER grant, Mayor Ben Stahler said. The federal grant pays for the salary and benefits for three firefighter/EMTs for the next three years, the mayor said.
VanHoose’s hiring also represents the second employment of a female first responder in the 160 or so years the city of Bellefontaine has employed a fire department, Stahler reported to council.
The three new firefighters added by way of the SAFER grant begin their employment Feb. 18.
“We’ve now reached the highest level of staffing for firefighters in Bellefontaine’s history at 21 full-time firefighters, plus Captain Brian Wilson and Fire Chief Andy Fissel,” Stahler said. “Additional staffing ensures a consistent, rapid response to meet the needs of our growing city.”
Historically, the city has maintained a total of 18 firefighters — six per shift. A reduction in staffing in November, 2004, reduced this number to five per shift.
By January of 2006, staffing levels were restored to six per shift.
In other updates from the mayor’s office, Stahler announced that Ryan Shields will soon replace Tim Newland, who has announced his retirement as Bellefontaine’s water superintendent effective next month.
Logan County Metropolitan Housing Authority has submitted a letter to city officials outlining plans to construct a total of 46 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in the area of west Chillicothe Avenue, in what would be the first housing authority’s first new-build in in about 15 years, Stahler said.
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds reported to council that motorists traveling in the area of the 800 block of east Sandusky Avenue may experience delays as road crews repave a portion of the roadway affected by a recent water main break.
As for action taken by council, three ordinances were approved for first reading that amends the pay scale for the chief and deputy bailiffs serving the Bellefontaine Municipal Court. Responsibility to set pay scales for the municipal court’s bailiffs falls on the municipal court itself, council members were told.
Currently, the bailiff’s pay falls under the city’s clerical pay scales. Ordinances approved on first reading during the meeting would remove the bailiffs from the clerical pay scale.
Currently, the city is responsible for 60 percent of the $30 per hour earned by the chief bailiff and 100 percent of the $25 per hour for the deputy bailiff.
The only public comments offered during the meeting involved the urging of council to authorize a one day “4/20 festival” in the city of Bellefontaine, which would take place on or around April 20.
Chase Beair, identifying himself as a representative for the “Imaginary Friend Society,” urged council to approve use of recreational marijuana for one day only during the proposed festival, citing the potential for influx of spending to local businesses.
Council conducted an executive session to discuss police department employment matters, and took no action.
The next regular meeting is Feb. 28.