The Richwood Village Council met for its regular Monday night meeting and Mayor Scott Jerew swore in Officer Evan Martindale. He was hired as a part-time police officer for Richwood and received his first commission as an officer. He lives in Delaware.
Lt. Jim Hill, who sat in the meeting for Police Chief Monte Asher, who was on vacation. Hill replied that all needed officers have been hired to replace others who left the force during the year. Hill also stated that if anyone is interested in putting in some auxiliary hours, to contact the Richwood Police Department, as they do need a few officers who can work to cover shifts when an officer is absent or on vacation.
Pam Sturwold, representing the Care Train of Union County, spoke to council and gave a description of the organization. Marysville resident Dave Laslow started the Care Train 31 years ago, to help Union County residents who need a helping hand during the holidays.
In 2016, donations of food vouchers totaling $156,000 were given to those in need and 292 families were supplied with food and gifts to help them have a Merry Christmas. Sturwold said that the group is still accepting monetary donations and told the audience that the Care Train will be hosting a live auction on Saturday, Dec. 9, for public participation. For more information, go online to www.caretrain.org.
Mayor Jerew passed around copies of the 2018 East Bomford Street project to council members to view. The project will be funded mostly by grant money and 25 percent of the cost will be the village’s share in putting in new water and sewer lines, sidewalks and pavement from South Franklin Street to Pearl Street. The project also includes new sewer lines extending from Pearl Street to East Ottawa Street. Bids will be advertised in December.
Jerew also told council that he filed papers to purchase the Mark and Trisha Wolfe property on N. Franklin Street. The property joins the girl’s softball diamonds and the plans are to raze the house and put in a new access to the park, along with additional parking. Funds from grants were used to purchase the property.
In other business, council;
-Heard that the Union County Civil Air Patrol will hold a ceremony of “Wreaths Across America” at Veteran’s Memorial at Richwood Park. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Should the weather be inclement, the standby date will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. This ceremony is open to the public and is similar to the placing of the wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. The Civil Air Patrol has performed this ceremony at the park for many years;
-Heard that village employees are working in installing the downtown Christmas banners and lights before the Dec. 2 annual Christmas Parade. Council members were also encouraged to participate in the annual event;
-Has informed that the police department will hold taser re-certification in December. It will be provided free by the Union County Sheriff’s Office;
-Heard the walking path committee continues to work on the engineering of the new walking path and also seeking additional funding for the balance of the path project.
Police Chief/Village Administrator Monte Asher, councilman Donnie Ridgeway and village Solicitor Alison Boggs were absent from the meeting.