Lt. Jim Hill will become the new Richwood chief of police, effective Feb. 24.
Following a brief executive session to discuss personnel on Monday, Mayor Scott Jerew recommended Hill to replace Monte Asher, who is retiring on Feb. 23. The council voted unanimously, with Council member Reddy Brown absent.
“Congratulations, Jim,” Jerew said to Hill.
Hill has been in law enforcement since 1991, and he has been serving with the Richwood Police Department since 2015. Hill is currently the second in command at the department and supervises the administrative, patrol and investigative operations of the department.
He is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College (PELC) and the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC).
Hill’s salary as chief will be $67,600.
Asher will remain as the village administrator following his retirement as police chief.
In other business:
-Fiscal Officer Sarah Sellers said she transferred $1 million to STAR Ohio for a checking account. The daily interest rate as of Monday was 4.86%.
-Sellers also reminded residents that there will be a 2% increase on their water rates. The minimum bill, which includes water and sewer, is $49. With the increase, the minimum bill will be $49.48. Residents will be charged $4.95 per 1,000 gallons of water after the minimum.
-The village’s park and operating levies, which passed in 2019, are expiring. They will need to be on the November ballot, Sellers said. She sent the levies to Village Solicitor Julie Spain to prepare for the Union County Board of Elections.
– Tamisha Matus from the Union County Health Department is submitting the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Route 47 sidewalk project.
– Village crews have cut trees down to prepare the site for the Lynn Street parking lot. They are cutting wood for campsites and chipping brush. Additionally, they are preparing to remove 6 to 10 inches of topsoil to prepare the parcel for stone.
– Asher said the village is working with Ohio Edison to install electricity at the shelter house in the beach area, which will also power the restrooms to be built nearby.
– Asher said electricity has been restored to the clock tower, and the clock is now accurately reporting the time. Village officials hope to have the bell chiming soon.
-Shawn McAllister Architect, Inc. designed the floor plan for the restrooms at Richwood Lake Park. The women’s restrooms will have two stalls, and the men’s restrooms will have one stall and one urinal. There will also be showers.
– The council held a second executive session to discuss pending legislation before the regular meeting adjourned.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m.