New Fort officer introduced (01/16/07)

FORT RECOVERY - The village's new full-time police officer was introduced to council members Monday night.

Brandon Wyerick, Celina, Ohio, was hired at a special council meeting on Jan. 10. His employment with the village will be official after he passes required physical and psychological tests required by the Fort Recovery Police Department and the state. These tests will be administered in Coldwater and Celina on Wednesday, Fort Recovery village administrator Randy Diller said this morning.

Wyerick is employed by Fleetwood and is a part-time officer for the St. Henry Police Department. If hired, Wyerick and his family will move to Fort Recovery.

Also Monday, Diller told council members about the Safe Routes to School grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation that provides funds to increase safety of traffic around schools and build more walking and bike paths to schools to promote healthy activity.

"These grants are 100 percent funded; there is no match needed. But they are statewide competitive," Diller said.

The village plans to draft a letter of intent to hire an ODOT approved traffic engineer to complete the traffic plan. This plan will outline projects for children who walk, ride bike, ride the bus or are dropped off at school.

After the plan is complete, the village can begin the proposed projects and apply for more grant funds.

Also Monday, council members:

•Approved an ordinance dedicating Fort Site Street as a public right-of-way. The street is part of property owned by Bob Hart.

•Approved the state's 2007 Basic Code which outlines the state's traffic laws to be upheld by the police department. This code is updated yearly to include new laws or amendments and must be approved by the village, Diller said.

•Received a copy of the village's five-year plan to review. The village currently is working on projects set for this year. The plan will outline projects, funding and equipment needs in 2008 through 2012.

•Discussed the state's approved minimum wage increase from $5.15 to $6.85. The increase was approved in November 2006 and took effect earlier this month. Diller told council members the increase will not apply to the village's seasonal employees which could have greatly increased the village's pool and park budget.[[In-content Ad]]