Perrysburg Township police chief, administrator retiring
12/5/2012
Hetrick.
Within a few weeks, Perrysburg Township will be losing two of its top officials who on Wednesday announced their retirements -- a result of changes in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System.
Hrosko.
Police Chief Mark Hetrick, who has been with the department for 26 years, will retire Dec. 29. John Hrosko, who has served as township administrator for 11 years, will retire Dec. 31.
Pellek.
The state legislature in September made significant changes to the pension law, which goes into effect Jan. 7. Changes include raising age and service limits for retirement eligibility as well as changing the salary calculation.
"I didn't anticipate it being this quick," Chief Hetrick said of his retirement, adding that he stood to lose a lot of money if he didn't.
Township trustees accepted the resignations at their meeting Wednesday night. They appointed police Lt. James Pellek, Jr., as acting chief and granted him a $1,000 stipend in extra compensation. No replacement has been named yet for Mr. Hrosko.
In other township news:
The Perrysburg Township Fire and EMS Department will enter into a mutual aid agreement with the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
Emergency crews at the Eber Road base in Monclova Township have equipment that would be useful in industrial emergencies, fire Chief Tom Brice said.
"They have a fairly large quantity of foam on hand," he said.
Chief Brice said 180th fire crews were called to a large oil fire in the city of Perrysburg, although they were not used in the incident.
Township trustees approved entering into the agreement at their regular meeting Wednesday.
They also approved a request to use a $3,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to purchase smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and combination detectors.
Chief Brice said some of the newer detectors have recorded voice alerts.
"Studies show that people respond better to the voice than the loud, annoying sound telling them to get out," he said.
In other matters, trustees were informed that the township police department on Wednesday took possession of a Humvee vehicle through a program with the Law Enforcement Support Office.
The program helps law enforcement agencies obtain surplus military property and purchase counter-drug equipment from the Department of Defense or other government entities.
Township police Chief Mark Hetrick said the department has a LESO account and has received items such as rifles in the past.
He said the Humvee remains federal property but the township must carry liability insurance on it. The vehicle will be used in SWAT operations, the chief said.
"It doesn't cost us a cent, other than putting gas in it," Chief Hetrick said.
Contact Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer at 419-356-8786, rconklin@theblade.com, or on Twitter @RebeccaConklinK.