Bath names Rodriguez fire chief

Sept. 21 township trustees meeting

by Laura Bednar

Assistant Fire Chief John Rodriguez, who served as interim chief since Rob Campbell’s retirement in March, has been named chief for the Bath Fire Department.

Rodriguez joined the Bath Fire Department full time in 1998. He served as assistant chief for three years before becoming interim chief. He said it was an honor to be the fire chief and after working his way through the ranks, he looked forward to concluding his career as a chief.

Bath Trustee President Sharon Troike said the township did not request external applicants for the position. She said Rodriguez was put on a probationary period for six months as interim chief to see if it would work.

“Because he has so much history, knows the department and knows the people, it was an easier fit,” said Troike.

Rodriguez started the position effective Sept. 21 at a rate of $63 per hour.

Police partnership

The Bath Police Department entered into a mutual aid agreement with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. According to legislation, the team is “comprised of specially trained law enforcement personnel capable of providing specialized assistance and resources during critical incidents and various high-risk police operations.”

Township Administrator/Police Chief Vito Sinopoli gave a recent example of the county’s SWAT team assisting with executing a search warrant at a St. Vincent Drive home targeting illegal narcotics activity. Evidence from the scene was collected, and criminal charges were filed against the tenant.

He noted that neighbors told police about the tenant’s suspicious activity, even attending a township public meeting to share their concerns. Trustee Elaina Goodrich reiterated the homeland security campaign slogan of “see something, say something” if residents notice something concerning.

Bath Center Building

The stairways to the Bath Center Building on W. Bath Road will be repaired after water damaged the concrete stairs and rusted the railings.

Trustees approved an agreement with D’Attoma Concrete for $16,800 to repair the concrete stairs on the north elevation of the building, and an agreement with Finelli Iron for $22,388 to repair the metal railings on the north elevation of the building and the railings leading from the fire department to the building rotunda.

Sinopoli explained the 30-year-old railings will be cut off, sandblasted and repainted before being reinstalled with the repaired concrete.

Bath Community Park

Trustees approved another $21,400 to Environmental Design Group, the firm working on designs for the Bath Community Park project. Sinopoli said the Summit County Engineer has stormwater requirements that vary from EDG’s plan. The additional funds go towards the firm’s design work to meet county standards.