Engineer Richard Wasosky ending 35 years of service with village
By Emily Chesnic
Northfield Village officials did not extinguish plans for purchasing a new fire engine but are needing more time before giving the all-clear.
A lengthy discussion concerning the pending buy took place at the Dec. 9 regular meeting, with Council scheduling a future special meeting so additional information can be presented before an official vote is taken.
On the Council meeting agenda was legislation to move forward with an agreement with Finley Fire Equipment for the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer Pumper Engine, at a cost of $574,251. Council did not act on it, however, moving it to a second reading.
Law Director Brad Bryan told Council the terms and conditions of the contract continue to evolve, as he just received a 300-page document he needs to read through regarding the purchase. While some of the contract changes appear to be in the village’s favor, including an $8,000 cost decrease, he said he was not comfortable with Council approving the purchase before mulling over all the contract provisions.
Finance Director Jennifer Potvin, who is now beginning her second year with the township, also said she wanted more time to review the financing options for the fire truck before Council approves the purchase. She said the initial contract was sent to Northfield Village with no confirmation of the interest rate being charged.
“As late as last night, I was working with individuals to get better financing for the vehicle,” she told Council. “I just want to get the best payment plan for our village.”
Councilman Gary Vojtush spoke out against waiting to buy the new truck, as the current engine is more than 30 years old. He said it is a safety risk to the firefighters and village to delay the purchase.
“This truck should have been taken out of service four years ago,” he said.
Fire Chief Jason Buss said he has been attempting to replace Engine 3513 for a couple of years, as it should be removed from operation due to its age, unreliability, and lack of current safety features.
“I have a responsibility to get my firefighters back home safely every day,” he said. “I can’t keep looking 40 firefighters in the face and have them get on a 30-year-old truck that no other fire station would have them stand on.”
Buss reminded Council it would take at least a year for the fire truck to be built for the village, with the first payment likely not due until late 2022.
Regardless of when the first payment needs to be made, Mayor Jesse Nehez told Council he believes the village should wait on the purchase, as it is a “huge expense” to commit to during a pandemic.
With Gov. Mike DeWine’s evening curfew still in place and layoffs probable at MGM Northfield Park due to the COVID-19 situation, Councilman Nick Magistrelli said the more financial details Council has before making the purchase, the better.
“We all know we need a truck,” he said. “I am glad we are doing another meeting. We are a great group that works together to get the job done right. I know we will come to a decision we all feel comfortable with.”
Potvin said she would provide Council with detailed financial information, so members have a better understanding of the village’s expenses and revenue projections, before committing to the new engine.
Bryan also said he would review the revised contract and report back to Council on the terms.
A special meeting to continue discussing the fire truck is scheduled for Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and will be held remotely.
Northfield Village Hires Daniel Collins as full-time engineer
Also, at the meeting, Council moved forward with Nehez’s recommendation to hire a full-time engineer for Northfield Village, not renewing a contract with current engineer Richard Wasosky.
Bryan said the village’s contract with Wasosky and Euthentics Inc., a civil engineering firm, expires Dec. 31, 2020. In accordance with the village’s charter, Nehez made the decision to appoint a new village engineer, he said.
Council confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Daniel Collins – who has extensive experience in municipal engineering and resides in the City of Macedonia – as the village’s full-time engineer, with his salary at $100,000 a year. Collins will begin as engineer Jan. 1, 2021.
Village officials thanked Wasosky for his 35-years of service to the community, stating he would be missed, as his work and experience in the role has been valued and appreciated. They wished him well on his future endeavors.
Wasosky has been serving the village as a part-time engineer, through Euthentics, retiring from full-time with Euthentics in May 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said he planned to remain as village engineer through Dec. 2021 to train his successor and impart his knowledge of the village gained during the last three and a half decades on to his assistant, Dan Bender.
“It was the village’s decision to hire a different engineer. I had recommended keeping me as the engineer while I transferred the job over to Dan Bender. It did come to me as a surprise in September 2020 when I was informed the village would be requesting proposals and interviewing for the position of village engineer for 2021,” he said when contacted to provide more information on his departure.
Collins, who took a pay cut to come work for the village, was present at the virtual meeting, stating he knows he has “big shoes to fill.”
The Nordonia High School and University of Akron graduate has been practicing civil engineering for 24 years. He said he looks forward to bringing his knowledge and experience to the village soon.
Council approves rates of pay, collective bargaining agreements
Council also approved the rates of pay for the police chief and directors of law and finance for the village for 2021. The approved resolution state Police Chief John Zolgus’ pay will increase slightly, going from $83,961 a year to $84,801. Bryan’s annual retainer will go from $34,077 to $34,418 a year, and his hourly rate will go from $129 to $130 an hour. Additionally, Potvin’s salary will go from $78,000 a year to $78,780.
Later in the meeting, Zolgus also declined to take $70 a month from the village for a cell phone monthly reimbursement, after Councilwoman Jenn Domzalski stated the amount seemed too high to give a month as a reimbursement. With Domzalski casting the only “no” vote, Council did approve a monthly cell phone allowance of $70 for some other village employees for 2021.
Council additionally approved new collective bargaining agreements with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (OPBA) for sergeants and full-time and part-time patrolmen and for police lieutenant for 2021, as well as a new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Machinist (IAM) for 2021, providing for the cell phone monthly allowance to increase from $60 to $70 for employee. Bryan said the negotiated agreements are allowing for a 1 percent pay increase.
Also concerning pay, Vojtush thanked Bryan for continuing to type the Council meeting minutes for the village free of charge during the pandemic.
Chief Buss provides Council with COVID-19 update
Buss told Council his department, and other village departments, continue to be impacted by COVID-19, with some employees out sick and others being quarantined.
“All employees are recovering and doing well,” he said.
Buss encouraged village employees to continue to follow recommended safety precautions, including wearing a mask in public and staying 6 feet away from other individuals.
In the last month, COVID-19 cases have increased by 210 percent in Summit County, he said.
“It is everywhere right now. Just be careful,” said Buss.
After speaking with the emergency room at Cleveland Clinic Hilcrest Hospital, Buss said they are seeing more patients with headaches and body aches, opposed to a fever.
“When in doubt, please have any staff tested at the earliest symptom onset,” he told village officials.
Buss additionally announced the fire department collected hundreds of toys at “Stuff the Squad” events held recently in the community to help Dawns Early Light, a program assisting foster children impacted by the drug epidemic.
“Out station is literally overflowing with toys this year to be donated to needy children. It warms my heart to see such giving during a time of so much negativity, challenges, and uncertainty. Thank you to the entire community for showing how much you care,” he said.