Mayor Explains Why Village Will Not Offer Policing/Fire Services to Northfield Center
By Emily Chesnic
Mayor Jesse Nehez of Northfield Village says his community is willing to help Northfield Center “any way it can,” but it will not provide policing in the township, especially right now.
“During these crucial times, we need to focus on ourselves and what is best for our community,” he said at the Aug. 26 regular meeting of Council. “At this time, we don’t want to expand our borders.”
Northfield Village has its own police and fire departments, while Northfield Center currently relies on the Summit Country Sheriff’s Office for policing and the City of Macedonia for fire services.
Northfield Center officials have expressed an interest in working with Northfield Village on policing, hoping to gain services comparable to what it receives through a contract with the Summit County Sheriff’s Department, but for a lower price tag.
The village, originally part of Northfield Center Township, recently was contacted by township officials to see if it would like to provide a quote for policing. Law Director Brad Bryan notified township officials the village is not interested in providing police services to other municipalities at this time, however.
Nehez said it is not in the best interest of the village to expand its services to a neighboring community.
“I hope everyone understands within our community and Council why we don’t want to do policing for Northfield Center,” he said at the regular meeting. “I hope Council is on the same wavelength as me.”
During the remote regular meeting, members of Council were asked by the mayor to speak up if they did not agree with him. No one vocally opposed the village declining to provide pricing for police services to the township.
Nehez, who said the village was contacted by the township in the past concerning possible contracts for safety services, affirmed the village also is not interested in extending its fire services to the township in the near future.
Village Tax Incentive Review Board Appointments
Also, at the regular meeting, Council approved appointing village residents Bill Frazier and Sabrina Pines to Northfield Village’s Tax Incentive Review Board, filling two existing vacancies. They each will serve a two-year term on the board.
Law Director Bryan explained the village was required to establish a Tax Incentive Review Board, which it did in 2017, to hear appeals on decisions made by the Village Tax Administrator. To date, the board has not heard any appeals, he said. However, a taxpayer has filed an appeal, and the board must hold a hearing on the matter in the next 45 days, said Bryan.
Bryan said Frazier and Pines volunteered to serve on the board and will not receive financial compensation. He said their service, which will be appreciated, will not require much time, as the board like only will hear one or two appeals a year or less.
Proclamation Honoring Gregory T. Corradino
In addition, at the meeting, Council adopted a proclamation commending longtime village resident Gregory T. Corradino on “his exceptional life and years of service to the country and Nordonia Hills community.”
According to the proclamation, Corradino, who passed away Aug. 5, at the age of 75, resided in his village home for 60 years, taking pride in his community.
Corradino, a 1963 graduate of Nordonia High School and Bronze Star recipient, served as a Radioman with the United States Army in the Vietnam War, calling in artillery and aerial support, states the proclamation.
Corradino’s custom-made graphics business, Classic Designs, which he established in the Nordonia Hills area in 1985, “has been generous to the community,” states the proclamation.
“The work of Classic Designs [now under the direction of Corradino’s sons] is evident throughout Northfield Village, on police, fire and service departments’ vehicles and signage,” the proclamation says.
Corradino is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolores, and his sons, Christopher, and Marc.
On behalf of his family, Christopher expressed appreciation for the proclamation, stating his father would have valued this recognition from his community.
“We considerate this quite an honor,” he said.
Council members are signing the proclamation that will be framed and delivered to the Corradino family soon.
Department of Public Service Report – Superintendent
Jason Walters
During his report, Public Service Superintendent Walters discussed a possible two-phase project that would add parking for Huntington Park to better control vehicles lining Magnolia Avenue, primarily during scheduled baseball games.
He said 10 parking spots possibly could be added this year to an area near the existing parking lot and then another 14 to 15 spaces could be put in next year, facing the ball diamond.
If the plans eventually are approved, Walters estimates the first phase of the project would cost the village about $40,000, and the second phase, $30,000.
Walters additionally reported the village is working to address unkept properties in the community at this time.
“We are looking at some areas. They are the same properties we continuously have problems with,” he said.
POLICE DEPARTMENT– POLICE CHIEF JOHN ZOLGUS
Police Department Report for the month of July, 2020
- The Police Department is now certified in all areas of the Ohio Collabrotive. This final certification came in early July.
- July saw a slight increase in calls for service.
- The Police Department will resume trainings that were rescheduled due to COVID-19.
- Zajac is working on quote for the 800mhz radion system. This will replace the olde 420mhz system which is being eliminated . The City of Macedonia is also changing completely over to the 800mhz system.
- All of our Officers are healthly and reporting to work as scheduled.
- There were 574 calls for service for July .
Respectfully submitted by Chief JOHN ZOLGUS
Other Meeting Business
• Council approved spending up to $7,500 for materials and labor for the installation of the new storm siren on village property.
• Council learned the needed repairs at City Hall have been completed.
• Mayor Nehez announced the Recreation Board would meet Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m. for a virtual meeting.
