Council ponders dissolving Civil Service Commission

0

Greenfield is considering dissolving its Civil Service Commission, according to a motion approved by council members following an executive session during Wednesday’s regular village council meeting.

The motion was to allow the village to move forward in the process of dissolving the commission, and adding a memorandum of understanding to law enforcement contracts in regard to hiring and promoting due to lack of a Civil Service Commission.

Greenfield City Manager Ron Coffey on Thursday said that based on what has been discussed with Brian Zets, the village’s law director, Greenfield’s status as a village does not require it to have a Civil Service Commission.

Coffey said that all discussion on the matter, aside from the motion, was had within the executive session. However, discussion is anticipated at council’s next meeting along with legislation.

The possibility of doing away with the commission comes about seven months after the beginning of litigation, which is still ongoing, against the village and the commission in regard to matters involving testing to fill former police chief Tim Hester’s position. Currently, Sgt. Jeremiah Oyer is the acting police chief.

In other business, the third time appears to be the charm for Massie Street, as after two previous years of applying for, but being denied grant assistance, paving the street is finally going to happen thanks to funding through a Community Block Development Grant (CDBG).

Last week the project, which was one of three submitted throughout the county, was ranked number one for funding through the county’s available $99,200 in CDBG funds.

The total cost of paving Massie Street is $60,600, Coffey reported. Grant funding will cover half that cost, while Greenfield will provide the rest.

Coffey reported Wednesday that the “timetable for completion” is 2017.

The two other projects applied for were sidewalk improvements at Hillsboro’s pedestrian bridge on North High Street, and an electric and equipment upgrade for Mowrystown’s waste water treatment plant. How the remaining CDBG funds will be divvied between those two projects was not determined at last week’s meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

Coffey also reported that a Greenfield project for a transloading facility between South Washington and South Second streets is up for funding consideration through the Appalachian Regional Commission. He said that according to the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, the project has been ranked second in the region. Projects for funding consideration will now be taken to the state level.

Coffey also reported that McClain High School held its second community service day last week that saw high school students working for the betterment of the community by performing beautifying duties all around the town. Coffey said he feels “this is an important part of the education process for our young people.”

The city manager has posted photos on Greenfield’s website at greenfieldohio.net.

Upcoming events announced:

• Memorial Day Parade – Organized by the Greenfield Concerned Veterans, the parade is set for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30, with lineup at 9:30 a.m. at the colonnades on Fifth Street.

• The 15th annual Daryle Unger and Peanut Memorial Fishing Derby – June 4 at Mitchell Park. The derby will begin at 9 a.m. with ages 7 and under, 10:30 a.m. for 8-12 year olds, and 12-1 p.m. for 13-18 year olds.

• Community Wide Yard Sale – June 10-11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The Greenfield Village Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the first floor of the City Building. The meetings are open to the public. To be put on the agenda, call the village offices at 937-981-3500.

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.

Coffey
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/05/web1_CoffeyMugPrint.jpgCoffey
Discussion anticipated at next meeting

By Angela Shepherd

[email protected]

No posts to display