PERRYSBURG – Thanks to a lightning strike earlier this month, the township will need to purchase some new
communications equipment sooner than expected.
Still, the township police and fire departments stress there is no need to rush the issue. Until the
emergency services departments replace the costly communications console – which coordinates
communications between dispatch and units in the field – the township will continue to rely upon cell
phones and temporary portable radios with a more limited range. Since the July 11 electrical storm,
there has been no interruption in service due to loss of the console and other equipment.
Police Chief Edward Stribrny said at the trustees’ July 20 meeting that the portable radios will suffice
until a new console is purchased.
"It’s a very costly, time-consuming process," he said after the meeting. "So it’s not
something we’re going to rush into."
Trustee Craig LaHote estimated that a new console might cost at least $120,000. He said the trustees
support the departments’ decision to take some time with the console purchase.
As a result of the lightning strike, the township lost a radio signal-boosting device, air conditioning
units in the new communication building on Lime City Road, computers that operate automatic door locks
as well as an entire dispatch panel.
Temporary air-conditioning units have been placed in the building to reduce heat and moisture, until new
parts for the main units arrive. The township plans to pay Dimech about $1,700 for repairs.
Officials believe the communications tower, for which the township originally purchased lightning
prevention equipment, was not struck.
Because lightning may have struck the ground and traveled into the building’s electrical lines, officials
have discussed purchasing lightning protection for the building.
Also at the meeting, the board approved the payment of $10,000 to enter into a contract with Hull
& Associates, of Toledo, for initial water studies to identify potential sources of water that
could serve communities in Northwest Ohio. The township has been discussing potential water sources for
a couple of years, and now is exploring its options as regional water service contracts with Toledo are
beginning to change.
Trustee Bob Mack abstained from voting on the issue due to a conflict of interest.
In other action, the board:
¥ heard from Dep. Fire Chief Thomas Brice that the fire department received a grant of $4,500 from the
Ohio Division of EMS, and heard from Stribrny that the police department received a new radar for its
participation in the state’s seat belt and drunk driving enforcement initiatives.
¥ heard from Stribrny and Brice that problems persist regarding accuracy of checks issued by the
township’s payroll vendor, who credits employees for calculated time.
¥ heard from Mack that townships may not be affected as much as expected by the state’s new budget,
according to a liaison for the Wood County Township Association. However, Fiscal Officer Shirley Haar
noted that the state would reduce Local Government Funds by 20 percent and that she will find out how
much the township received through LGFs previously to learn how such a reduction would affect
operations.
¥ approved a request to work with Terry Asphalt Materials for chipping and sealing and micro-surfacing at
a cost of $215,900 under an Ohio Department of Transportation contract.
¥ confirmed that board meetings will now be held at 6 on the first and third Monday evenings of the
month.