Also, Council Learns Police Department is Training K9 Cash
By Emily Chesnic
The Village of Northfield is continuing an annual activity allowing residents to dispose of large garbage items but asking the rules to be followed so the cleanup still can take place in the future.
At the April 14 regular meeting, Council announced dumpsters will be in the community in May so bulk items can be collected.
Service Director Jason Walters said the dumpsters would be placed at two locations this year, on Ledge Road and Houghton Road.
In the past, the village also put dumpsters at Chestnut Avenue. However, just using the two locations in May will be easier to monitor, keeping individuals from misusing the dumpsters, he said.
“We need to keep people from dumping things they shouldn’t, like what happened last year at Chestnut,” he said. “We try to keep the program going for our residents, but we have to police it.”
Walters said residents may be asked to show identification before they are permitted to place their garbage into the dumpsters.
Council President Jennifer Domzalski is requesting residents abide by the regulations, so the village does not have to reevaluate the program.
The dumpsters will be removed from the village on June 1, added Walters.
K9 Cash
Also at the meeting, Council members learned the Village Police Department, which serves Northfield Village, is training another K9, Cash, to replace a retiring K9. Chief John Zolgus said Cash is going through K9 certifications and is working in the community alongside Patrolman Gramlich.
Zolgus also reported a speed radar was placed for a test period on Magnolia Avenue to collect data, with the speed limit being followed most of the time by traffic traveling eastbound.
“That is good to see,” he said.
Zolgus said the radar will be placed at additional locations this spring and summer, as well, to relay more information to Council in the future regarding speed limits.
He also told Council the department had 814 calls for service in March, with the department now starting to see an increased number of calls for service in comparison to previous months.
Fire Department Sets Record
Fire Chief Jason Buss also told Council the fire department is seeing an increase in calls. He said the department just had its second busiest month in its history, responding to 96 calls for service in March.
Concerning the fire department remodel project, Buss said, in his report, his goal is to have the project rebid in late 2021 or early 2022.
“The time frame would allow for building material prices to stabilize and ensure we again receive the best competitive bid construction price,” he said.
Buss told Council he would discuss the project more at the mid-year budget meeting.
Other Meeting News:
• The Planning Commission will meet virtually April 21 at 7:30 p.m. to consider a proposed lot consolidation on Summit Avenue.
• Domzalski thanked those who helped recently with the village’s Easter event, with it being nice to see many “happy faces.”
• Council approved a resolution authorizing Councilperson Alan Hipps to serve as the Public Records Act Training Designee for 2021.