Salt dome approved while budget issues surface

by Sue Serdinak

Sept. 17 village council meeting

About a year ago, Richfield Mayor Michael Wheeler warned that the village could be assessed a significant fine if it continued to store salt and mulch outside.

Council suspended readings and passed a resolution to hire Greystone Construction to build a salt storage building on village property at 3921 Brecksville Rd. with the cost not to exceed $275,975.

Service Director Scott Waldemarson said he is hoping to get the asphalt pad built before asphalt plants close for the winter.

“If they can’t get it done before the asphalt plant closes, we will need to contract out for the prep work,” he said, adding that the plan is to have the shed built by mid-November before salt is needed for roadways.

“We dragged our feet on doing this,” said Councilperson Jeff Stoppenhagen. “We could get fined if we don’t get salt and everything under roof.”

Councilperson Rick Hudak said the uncovered road salt, mulch and woodchips are an environmental concern.

Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar said she is concerned that the project could go over budget because of the haste required to get the shed built.

Allega Way

Wheeler reported that Allega Companies has nearly completed construction of the new road connecting Brecksville Road to Columbia Road north of the Ohio Turnpike. A traffic light will be installed to ease congestion near the Pilot Travel Center.

Council approved a payment of $12,562 to Quality Control Inspection for inspection of the roadway.

Wheeler said that although the village acquired the former gas station property and designed the intersection, officials in Richfield Township and the JEDD have decided the name of the road should be Allega Way.

Over budget

Finance Director Sandy Turk reported that several departments are over budget for the year. Council had first reading on a resolution to appropriate additional funds to seven accounts.

She said the fire department is short $376,805 to cover salaries, fringe benefits, repairs and maintenance. She explained that the department added a full-time fire medic in 2024 to reduce overtime pay. “But that did not materialize,” she said.

The cost of additional employee benefits rose by 27.5%. She said there was also an unanticipated retirement payout of $33,000 and higher hospitalization costs of $60,000.

Turk said the 2024 budget for rubbish collection increased 4%; the construction of many homes in the Briarwood development is costing the village 10% more than anticipated.

Part-time salaries of the park and recreation department were $22,500 over budget. Councilperson Bobbie Beshara questioned why a part-time employee should be paid $26 per hour.

Wheeler said recreation programs generated about $70,000, and the part-time employee was responsible for that.

Turk also reported that 52 properties are delinquent in paying their sewer bills by $132,409. Those accounts were sent to the county, where the amount will be added to their property taxes plus about 24% in late fees.

Safety forces

Police Chief Michael Swanson said that Assistant Chief Paul Fister recently graduated from the FBI National Academy. The 10-week program included a physical fitness regimen and coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication and forensic science.

Swanson also reported that Officer Jacob Komar, hired in September, graduated from Tri-C Police Academy as captain of his class.

Fire Chief George Seifert said Richfield Elementary School students had a program to salute first responders on September 11.

He said the department received an EMS grant for $3,711 for equipment.

Information technology

IT Coordinator Tim Baker reported that the village has received a new phone system, and he will begin installing it. The system will cost $70,416, paid in monthly installments over three years.

He recently installed a security platform to prevent scams to the village internet system.  He has started working with Summit County to offer a system that accepts texts to 911.

Fall Festival

Park Director John Piepsny said that a crowd about 500 attended the Fall Festival at Eastwood Preserve. He also said rental of Masonic and Fellowship halls is very high.

Holiday party

Council approved a resolution to spend up to $1,800 on a holiday party for village staff. “[The party] is a way to say thank you to everyone in the village. All of the departments work together like a well-oiled machine,” said Council President Ralph Waszak.

Hudak added that the village staff worked beyond the call of duty to help with the events held in the community.

Art

Philippbar reported that the park board is discussing how to bring public and performing art to the community.

Land-use plan

Planning Director Brian Frantz was absent, but according to his report, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan will be presented to council on Oct. 10.

Public comments

Resident Leisha Burrows asked Wheeler how much his trip to Japan cost the village. Wheeler said the Mayor’s Association of Portage, Stark and Summit Counties paid for the trip, and he personally paid the fringe costs. He added that the village is receiving requests for information from Japanese companies that might open offices in the village.

Burrows repeated her previous challenge about the high cost the village will pay to upgrade the sanitary sewer system.

Resident Pat Buckner asked when all village residents would be required to connect to the municipal system.

Wheeler indicated it is not likely to happen because it would cost about $40 million to build sewer lines throughout the village. ∞