Bath welcomes new firefighter, county rep

by Laura Bednar

March 4 township trustees meeting

Bath Township Fire Department hired new full-time firefighter/paramedic Caleb Bower, effective March 18. Bower worked as a part-time firefighter in Fairlawn and New Franklin and “comes highly recommended,” according to Fire Chief Robert Campbell.

New firefighter/paramedic Caleb Bower takes the oath of office. Photo by Laura Bednar.

Summit County Councilperson Jeff Wilhite, who represents District 4, said Summit County Councilperson Brandon Ford, who represents District 5, will be the representative for all of Bath Township after Wilhite’s term expires at the end of December. Until then, Wilhite said he will continue to represent the east side of the township and Ford will cover the west side.

Wye Road

Trustees passed a resolution stating the township’s support of Phase 2 of the Summit County Surface Water Management District’s Wye Road flood mitigation and improvement project. The second phase would improve existing stormwater management basins, repair the natural drainage course and mitigate the flooding effect of future storms.

The SCSWMD is using the single county drainage improvements process in the Ohio Revised Code to establish easements necessary to the project, according to the resolution. Bath trustees must file a petition to allow the county to obtain easements. Project Manager Dave Koontz from the Summit County Engineer’s Office previously noted there would be a maintenance easement along the full length of Yellow Creek from Yellow Creek Road to Timber Creek Drive.

Trustee President Sean Gaffney explained that the board’s support of the project is the preliminary piece to allow the county to move forward with the petition process.

Purchases

Trustees approved paying $43,296 to Montrose Ford for a new 2023 Ford Explorer. The police department is purchasing new firearms, which Police Chief Vito Sinopoli said are “a new caliber of pistol.” The 26 Glock 9MM pistols cost $10,570. In turn, the department will sell 26 old Glock pistols to Summit Armory for $265 per firearm, totaling $6,890. ∞