2/21/2013 - South Side Leader
     

Coventry Fire Capt. Adam Rockich

Coventry Fire Chief John Dolensky

Photos courtesy of Coventry Township

The Coventry Township Board of Trustees reclassified interim Fire Chief John Dolensky to the position of full-time fire chief, at his current wage and benefits, during the Feb. 14 meeting.

In 1983, Dolensky began his 30-year fire career as a part-time firefighter, becoming a lieutenant in 1996, captain in 2000 and deputy fire chief in 2009, according to township officials.

Dolensky was appointed interim fire chief Dec. 31, 2011, following the retirement of long-term Fire Chief David Calderone, who now is an elected trustee.

The trustees complimented Dolensky for his reputation as interim fire chief and success during recent bargaining negotiations with the International Association of Fire Fighters.

After an executive session was held, the board also announced the promotion of Adam Rockich from fire lieutenant to fire captain.

He was hired by the township as a part-time dispatcher in 1994 and then reclassified as a part-time firefighter in 1996, according to township officials.

Rockich has served the township on numerous specialized response teams, including rescue diver, instructor and as a Summit County Special Operations Team member, township officials said.

Also Feb. 14, the board was made aware that a portion of Main Street will be addressed this summer.

According to the Summit County Engineer’s Office, the current bridge will be maintained and road repairs made using the mill and fill method.

Prior to the announcement, the board used a portion of the meeting to discuss township road repairs.

The board agreed to participate again in a county bidding program to obtain reduced pricing from contractors.

Road Superintendent Lael Stouffer explained the township has not been able to stay on a consistent road maintenance schedule due to an almost continuous increase in costs for oil and materials used in the chip and seal process.

In 2009, costs jumped by 60 percent, he said.

With less roads getting repaired than in years past, Calderone told fellow board members this year’s budget should allow for several deteriorating roadways to be addressed.

“We still have this burden and tough decisions have to be made,” he said.

During the meeting, the board agreed with Stouffer’s recommendation to seek bids for the resurfacing of Hanna and Logan parkways and Alice Drive.

The board additionally agreed to seek bids for a secondary resurfacing project that would address five roadways in the Oak Grove neighborhood.

According to approved legislation, the 2013 resurfacing work should not exceed $195,000.

Calderone said last year’s resurfacing program cost the township $150,000.

Also during the regular meeting, township officials:

• accepted the background checks of Rick Devenport, who was hired at the end of December as the new road and maintenance truck driver, so he could immediately begin employment;
• agreed to put up a “no parking” sign at 2100 Glenmount Ave. for safety reasons;
• announced the township’s participation in the Public Employee Benefits Alliance so the township could see a significant savings in health care costs;
• agreed to participate in the Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful Recycling Bin Grant Program to obtain free recycling bins for township parks;
• agreed to enter into a contract with Life Force Management Inc. for the collection of ambulance fees; and
• agreed to set an appropriations meeting for March 6 at 9 a.m. at the Town Hall, 68 Portage Lakes Drive, as the 2013 budget has not yet been approved.

The next regular Coventry Board of Trustees meeting is set for March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.

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