Bettsville hires new officer
By Bonnie Daniel, CorrespondentBETTSVILLE - Bettsville's Police Department is operating at capacity.
Police Chief Don Mason introduced new officer Loreal Benevides to council members Tuesday evening. She and new officer William Pelish, previously sworn in by Mayor Linda Davis, were approved by council at $7 per hour.
Council further discussed the department's staffing hours to remain in compliance for auditing. Members approved a $30,000 police department annual salary budget.
Mason informed council the new laptop computer for the cruiser is simplifying completing reports.
Village Administrator Dave Clark said damage to the generator at the sewer treatment plant, due to an unexplained power surge, has been repaired. The village's Issue I application for funding the replacement of storm sewer has been submitted and is up for review Sept. 18. The storm drain on Emma Street has been completed.
The fire department has finished its hose testing and firefighter Tony Nickel and Lt. Craig Hoffman have been recognized for five years with the department.
Fiscal Officer Linda Dye said 21 residents are to have their taxes assessed for the village to collect delinquent payments on their water and sewer billings.
Zoning committee chairman Scott Harrison reported receiving an application for a dog grooming business in a residential area. Members further discussed surveying in the village.
Cheryl Huss, candidate for Seneca County Commissioner, addressed members.
In other business, council:
* Approved an emergency resolution to appropriate and transfer funds within the fire department. A total of $2,900 from the uniform and clothing fund, workman's compensation and insurance and bonding fund moves to the operating fund.
* Approved an emergency resolution for accepting the amounts and rates determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies certifying them to the county auditor.
* Heard the first reading of an ordinance enacted for the building and maintaining of a six-foot high privacy fence on village property by the homeowner at 127 1/2 State Street for a period of 10 years from passage of said ordinance.
* Heard the first reading of an ordinance enacted in the matter of a village curfew ordering all children under 18 years old off the streets between 11 p.m.-6 a.m.
* Heard the first reading of an ordinance with Swickard Gas fixing and regulating rates for village gas prices for 2009.
* Accepted the resignation of police office Noe Barrientos.
* Announced the Old Fort Invitational is to be at Howard P. Eells Park on Sept. 17.
* Set Trick or Treat for 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 31.
Council meets next at 6 p.m., Oct. 7.
