Sylvania Twp. firefighters to receive 1.5% pay raises

Neal Mahoney THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Sylvania Township firefighters will get 1.5 percent raises this year and in 2013, township trustees voted unanimously at a regular meeting last week.

The raises apply to 57 firefighters through the rank of captain and will cost the township an estimated $73,000 this year and $76,000 next year. Figures include costs for benefits such as Medicare and pension contributions.

The trustees also re-elected John Jennewine president of their three-member panel and Neal Mahoney vice president. The vote for Mr. Jennewine was unanimous. The vote on Mr. Mahoney was 2-1, with Kevin Haddad dissenting.

John Jennewine Enlarge

The trustees gave a thumbs-down to a $75,000 bid from Clean Wood Recycling Inc. to provide a yard-waste drop-off site for the public.

They followed the recommendation of township Administrator John Zeitler, who said the cost was too high.

Gregory Huffman, public works manager, reported that his crews repaired 169 catch basins and 2,295 lineal feet of concrete curb last year.

The fence installation at Fire Station No. 4 was completed as well, he told the trustees.

Pending tasks include additional basin cleaning, repair, and inspection, drainage improvements, fleet equipment checks and services, traffic sign upgrades, and brush trimming on roadways.

Mr. Huffman said Lucas County road projects scheduled in the township this year included widening McCord Road from Central Avenue to Bancroft Street, improvements to Whiteford Road from Sylvania Avenue to Monroe Street, improvements to Centennial Road from Sylvania Avenue to Brint Road, drainage improvements at Laskey and Whiteford roads, and the Sylvania Avenue and Mitchaw Road roundabout.