GRATIS — During a Thursday, Sept. 3, meeting, Gratis Fire Chief Andy Cook informed the Gratis Village Council his department has divided Gratis Township into four mutual aid districts.
Cook said while the township recovers from the Aug. 25 resignation of 23 fireman from the West Elkton department, four other local departments have agreed to assist the township with mutual aid as much as possible.
Cook also told council his department, along with the remaining West Elkton members, will be hosting training once a month, with the host alternating between the two departments. He continued by saying the two departments will begin looking at the other department’s equipment during those trainings.
Cook will also be bringing three to four new applicants who hope to join the department to the next firemen’s business meeting.
Gratis Mayor David Johnston informed council the contract for the EMS was accepted by the township and he signed to renew the contract.
Council also held the first reading of Resolution 2015-17 which will establish a new fund for “Gratis Summerfest.” The fund will not become official until the resolution is read three times.
The village will be looking for a new utilities clerk after the current clerk has resigned to pursue a different job.
Village Administrator Dale Smith informed council he spoke to the county engineer who informed him the county only maintains three ditches in the village and the rest are the responsibility of the property owners.
Smith said the Mack Street project is “pretty much” completed with only a few minor things left to do.
In other business:
• Council approved four people to be sent to Butler Tech for intermediate classes for EMS. Each person will receive $500 in grant money toward the classes and will be responsible for the remainder of the cost. Council also approved $400 in grant money for paramedic classes.
• Council approved $400 for a new throttle cable on the fire department’s rescue engine.
• Council approved $200, for two boxes of roadside flares for the fire department.
• Council approved $350 for a new gas-powered hedge trimmer for the maintenance department.
Gratis Village Council meets every first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the village offices.
