Homepage | Archives | Calendar of Events | Exploring Akron | Lawn & Garden | Death Notices | Get email news alerts | About Us
Community News

Richfield Council approves firefighters contract

7/26/2012 - West Side Leader
      permalink bookmark

By John Benson

After discussing the matter in executive session, the Richfield Village Council approved the firefighters union contract, which is for three years and is retroactive to January.

According to village officials, the provisions of the contract include wages remaining flat for 2012 with increases of 1.5 percent in 2013 and 2 percent in 2014.

Also during the meeting, Council adopted a proposed concept plan developed pursuant to the Connecting Communities Grant from the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) for the “Richfield Crossroads District” and Wheatley Road area.

“The Village received a $50,000 grant from AMATS,” said Councilman Ralph Waszak. “It was a competitive grant where 19 communities submitted for it and only two got it: Akron and Richfield. We focused on the I-271 area on existing land development and the potential for the future. We were able to get a multitude of stakeholders in one room to discuss the area. The stakeholders included the corporate community, property owners, the Metro Parks, [Serving Summit County] and more.”

In other business:

• Council approved a resolution that permits the village to use Internet auctions to sell personal property, including motor vehicles, which are no longer needed for public use or are obsolete.

• During her report, Mayor Bobbie Beshara reminded residents about the new trail located by the library, as well as the drought caused by this summer’s heat wave.

“Be very mindful,” Beshara said. “We don’t have any restrictions on open burning. We know we’re in a bad time with the drought and let’s all be careful with how much water we use.”

• Police Chief Keith Morgan thanked the Richfield Fire Department and Service Department for its teamwork regarding President Barack Obama’s visit through the village a few weeks beforehand.

“It was five minutes of actual activity and took 10 hours of planning,” Morgan said. “We’re thankful the fire and service department were there.”

• Acting Fire Chief Phil McLean thanked Council for his department’s brand-new ambulance that was located in the parking lot for city officials to peruse prior to the meeting. He said he expects it to be in service shortly.

• Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz said the old Brecksville Road Dairy Queen building is slated for demolition so a new Subway restaurant can be built in its place.

In addition, Frantz said he completed the Sony property reimbursement request, which will bring $262,140 back to the village. He expects a check within 45 days.

• Councilman Andy Ellis requested Council and Frantz have a “philosophical discussion” about what constitutes an unkempt property.

“What is truly a nuisance and what is a natural state,” Ellis said. “We should put that on our agenda for the work session. If we don’t, it’ll slide on by. There could be a concern about equality of enforcement and where it applies. I think we need to talk about that.”

• Council Vice President Richard Hudak reminded residents the Kelly Miller Circus will have three shows July 28 at 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m. at Richfield Town Hall Park. He  also said the Sweet Corn Ride will be July 29 and benefit the entire community.

“I know people have moved to Richfield and wouldn’t have known about it, had they not been exposed to the Sweet Corn Ride,” he said. “It’s a win-win for everybody involved.”

The next Richfield Village Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 7 at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 4410 W. Streetsboro Road.

      permalink bookmark