FR approves new EMS structure

FORT RECOVERY –– Emergency medial service for the village may be taking on a new structure.

Fort Recovery Village Council approved a resolution Monday to create and participate in Southern Mercer County Joint Ambulance District. Much like the current Southwest Mercer Fire District, it won’t receive funding from the county.

The new district, which was previously known as squad 3 located in St. Henry, still covers Recovery, Gibson, Granville and Marion townships as well as Fort Recovery, St. Henry, Burkettsville and Chickasaw. It will have a board with one representative from each of the eight jurisdictions.

Village administrator Randy Diller said there are still some unanswered questions about equipment and vehicles, which are currently owned by the county. The district has discussed raising money to pay for them with a five-year tax levy, which would cost village residents roughly about $17 each year.

“If I can pay $17 dollars a year and know I have EMS services, that’s a pretty good investment,” he said.

Mayor Dave Kaup explained at the meeting that the ambulance squad started in St. Henry in 1975 with volunteers. Diller noted it is more difficult to get volunteers involved now.

“This is a heck of a commitment to be a squad member,” he said. “You’re on a calendar, and you’re expected to respond if you’re on call.”

While district members don’t plan to ditch the volunteer structure entirely, they do plan to give a stipend. Diller said nothing has been finalized yet, but plans are for those on call to receive $2 or $3 an hour. He said the board will likely set those rates.

At about $3 an hour, an on-call position 24 hours a day and seven days a week would amount to around $500, Kaup added.

Council members Erik Fiely, Cliff Wendel, Luke Knapke, Al Post, Scott Pearson and Greg Schmitz voted to approve the ambulance district resolution.

Diller also addressed a few road work updates, including the Broadway and Elm street reconstruction projects as well as work on Flaler and Sharpsburg roads.

He reminded council members that Broadway Street property owners will meet with an engineer and village administration July 27 to address any questions they may have about the upcoming reconstruction project.

Bid opening for the project will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the commissioner’s office. Diller said the completion date for the base asphalt coat is set for Oct. 30, and additional work will be finished in the spring.

He noted the Elm Street reconstruction project bid will be advertised July 29 and August 5. The project, which is connected to the Broadway Street reconstruction goal, should also help minimize turns for incoming semis. Bid will open at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 in the village office.

Flaler and Sharpsburg roads are being worked on by the county this summer, Diller added. Post said he noticed construction work on Sharpsburg Road began Monday. Both roads will receive chip-seal, fog seal and center-line striping work, along with some DuraPatch to fix bad spots on Sharpsburg Road, Diller said.

In other business, council:

•Heard from county attorney Erin Abels that she filed a claim last week for the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. She said the company has been sued because it has been accused of misleading the public when it advertised opioid pain pills. She said she doubts Fort Recovery will receive compensation, but she and Diller both agreed it was worth trying.

•Learned from Diller that the lime sludge press –– a piece of equipment that will turn excess lime sludge in the pond beside the water treatment plant into a solid that is easier to dispose –– has been purchased and will be delivered in about six weeks.