NORTH BALTIMORE – Doug Ebright, as the interim chief of the North Baltimore Fire Department, has already
brought about changes.
With the retirement of former Chief Don Baltz, Mayor Ned Sponsler appointed Ebright to fill the post.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Sponsler thanked Baltz for service to the village and noted Ebright was
in attendance. The new chief stated the fire department had made 44 runs so far this year, and it has a
new fire house reporting system. The firefighters are going to get fitted for advanced gear which is
tan, instead of black, and is used by almost all other fire departments.
When asked how many firefighters were with the department, the chief said it was up to 30. It has gained
10 members since his appointment, but two had to back out while they are completing medic training which
will last until the end of October.
"With the new people we’re getting on, it’ll help us during the day," Ebright stated, adding,
"We’re working hard. It’s going to take some time. Everybody’s been very cooperative."
Police Chief Allan Baer noted there has been increased communication between the police and fire
departments.
Baer reported the police department has received complaints about speeding dump trucks through town,
connected with the construction of the CSX intermodal railyard. He stopped two trucks and spoke with the
drivers, but he is aware officials with the trucking company have also received complaints and told
drivers to slow down.
"We’ll be strictly enforcing the laws as they go through the village," said the chief. "I
hope there’ll be a decreased speed." He added he has seen more trucks using Liberty Hi Road.
When questioned by Councilman Bill Cameron why some of the security company vehicles are at the police
station, Baer responded it was for a myriad of reasons, anything from using the restrooms to depending
on the security officers to help assist with calls for service.
Cameron said some residents on West Water Street were wondering why police cruisers are frequently at a
house. Baer said one of the auxiliary police officers lives there, and sometimes patrolmen stop by to
chat.
The chief was also asked about officers at football games. The school district contracts with the police
department for two officers at the home games. Two separate officers were on duty in the village, and
one drove over to the last home game, along with an officer-in-training, where they briefly stayed.
Administrator Kathy Healy wants to know what route truck drivers will be taking from Interstate 75 and
Ohio 235 to the CSX railyard. She asked council’s permission to check with engineering firms what it
would cost to come up with alternate routes for truckers.
But Councilman Mike Julien said a committee was already formed to deal with that, with members from the
Wood County Engineer’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, the township and the village. The
committee has been inactive, and Julien suggested writing a letter regarding the issue. Healy agreed to
write the letter.
Councilwoman Leslee Thompson complained about the work being done by tree trimmers under contract with
American Electric Power. "They are not trimming the trees. They are mutilating the trees," she
commented. A representative is coming to the village to see the work that has been done, and Thompson
asked for addresses to show the person.
Healy reported the wonderful success of the dodgeball tournament "5th Quarter" event hosted by
the Community Alternatives for Family and Youth.
Council gave a first reading to an ordinance requiring property owners and occupants to maintain visible
street numbers on all residential, commercial and industrial properties.
It also approved, as emergency ordinances, three special assessments for cleaning the streets, lighting
the streets and trimming/maintaining trees along the streets. Voting against the tree ordinance was
Julien.
The finance officer’s report included the current projected shortfall in income tax revenue is estimated
at about $25,000 for the year, based on what was projected for the 2009 budget.