With the village’s current contract with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) expiring at the end of the year, Greenfield Village Council voted at Wednesday’s meeting to not negotiate another contract with the union.
Following about a 30-minute executive session in Wednesday’s council meeting, council member Chris Borreson said he “believes all Greenfield employees should be on the same page.” He said he thought the village should “cut ties with the union and get everyone on a level playing field.”
He made a motion to that effect, with four members approving the motion, and only council member Mark Clyburn voting no. Voting in favor of the motion the motion were Borreson, Bob Bergstrom, Betty Jackman and Brenda Losey.
On Thursday, Clyburn said he had talked to police personnel and that they were in favor of keeping the collective-bargaining contract with the FOP. Clyburn said it wasn’t going to cost taxpayer money to continue to have a collective-bargaining contract, and that what “the men and women who put their safety on the line” want ought to be considered.
According to Brian Zets, the village’s law director, as a village, Greenfield had the option to negotiate a new collective-bargaining contract with the FOP, or not to. And as a village, Greenfield is not required to have a collective-bargaining contract. He said that a village having one was more the exception than the rule.
Zets said that the police officers can continue to remain with the union if they choose to.
In his city manager’s report, Ron Coffey said a September report from GPD Acting Chief Jeremiah Oyer showed that some year-to-date statistics remain higher than in previous years. For instance, it was reported that there have been 831 offenses investigated so far this year, and 383 investigated all of last year. Also, there have been 552 arrests so far this year, with 372 in all of 2015.
On Thursday, Oyer attributed the higher numbers of arrests and investigations to officers simply doing their jobs, a sentiment he shared in June when a report from his office showed a significant increase in the number of offenses investigated. They are out there patrolling, he said, instead of waiting around for calls to come in.
In other business, Coffey reported that the Greenfield Industrial Park, now officially known as the South Central Ohio Industrial Park, will soon be photographed by the use of drones. The drone photography, he said, is being done through the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), which previously chose the village’s industrial park to be part of its sites/inland study initiative.
Coffey also reported that the village’s last cleanup day on Oct. 8 resulted in the most trash to date being hauled away. He said two garbage trucks, each with a 27-yard capacity, were filled, and a third truck was brought in to handle the overflow.
Coffey also reminded residents during the meeting, which is typically broadcast on local cable access channel 3, that a fire hydrant flushing will take place on Oct. 21 starting at 9 p.m. He said residents might experience low water pressure and discoloration. He said that if any residents experience no water or continuous low water throughout Saturday, they should report the matter to the Greenfield Police Department by calling 937-981-4466.
Upcoming events:
• Oct. 22 – Run for Hannah, an annual 5K with proceeds benefiting the Hannah Marie Losey Scholarship Fund. The race is at Felson Park with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the race beginning at 10 a.m. Registration forms are available at Jett’s Pro Embroidery, 1060 Jefferson St. Completed forms can also be dropped off at Jett’s by Friday.
• Oct. 25 – The annual Halloween parade sponsored by the Paint Creek Firefighters Association will start at 6 p.m. Parade line-up will begin at the colonnades on Fifth Street at 5 p.m.
• Oct 27 – Safe Trick or Treat, sponsored by the Greenfield Area Merchants Association, will be held downtown from 6-8 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held under the colonnades on Fifth Street.
The Greenfield Village Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in 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.
