Perrysburg Township hires new patrolman

Andy Gerdeman, left, was hired as a police patrolman.

Perrysburg Township hired a new police patrolman this evening, leaving the police department short-staffed by three officers.

Township trustees hired Andy Gerdeman at their meeting tonight. He joins Patrolman Troy Wallace, whom the township hired last month. Both officers will be paid $26.43 an hour.

Police Chief Mark Hetrick said several retirements and resignations have created the vacancies. Township trustees will decide whether to fill the remaining three vacancies depending on whether voters approve a 3-mill police levy on the November ballot.

In other business, Chief Hetrick thanked Rob Armstrong and Bennett Enterprise, where Mr. Armstrong works, for donations to the township police department‘‍s crime scene unit. The company donated $1,000 and Mr. Armstrong personally donated $200.

Trustees also announced that Recycle I.T. USA, which accepts electronics at the monthly township recycling event, will start charging $10 to take small televisions and $20 to take large ones. The recycling event is from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of each month at the township maintenance department.

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.