Bowling Green city administrators and council offered their praise and appreciation for outgoing Fire
Chief Tom Sanderson during Tuesday’s meeting.
Sanderson is retiring from the department later this month.
"We’ve learned a lot from you, and you’ve been very, very committed to the city of Bowling
Green," said Mayor Richard Edwards. "Your services will be terribly missed."
Sanderson, who previously worked for the Perrysburg Fire Division, joined Bowling Green’s division in
1991. He has been chief since 2014.
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter called Sanderson "a wonderful and amazing colleague,"
saying he, "in his time, really proved to be quite the agent of change. … It wasn’t long before I
had Tom Sanderson in my office, advocating for these many changes that he had researched, that he was
promoting," for both the safety of the firefighters and the safety of the community, to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the fire division.
Among them, she said, were improved communications between the fire division and the city staff, and with
the community; implementing a community risk reduction program; and spearheading changes to dispatching.

"He’s really opened the doors to the fire division and ensured that all ages have access to
information, to education, and has made the division very accessible.
"In sum, the impact of his work will be felt in this community and fire division for many years to
come," said Tretter.
Council President Michael Aspacher offered council’s congratulations on Sanderson’s retirement, and their
appreciation "for your many efforts throughout your career. … We’re certainly appreciative and
thankful for your service to the community."
"He is a wonderful co-worker," Planning Director Heather Sayler said during her remarks.
"Tom has been A-1 to work with," said Public Works Director Brian Craft, noting the good
relationship between the fire division and public works.
Capt. Bill Moorman, who will replace Sanderson, is to be sworn in as chief on Feb. 5.
In other business, council:
• Heard from Bowling Green State University student and Environmental Action Group member Julia Botz
concerning ideas for green initiatives in the city. Aspacher suggested that she contact with Tretter
regarding the matter.
Edwards noted that the group is "really accomplishing some amazing things on campus" and said
he hoped from time to time they might give a report of some of the things they’re doing.
• Heard from Tretter regarding what residents can do to promote a safe environment in the face of
snowstorms.
Councilman Bruce Jeffers asked about the number of cars that are towed from city streets during a typical
snow event. Police Chief Tony Hetrick replied that it varies, but there have been no vehicles towed so
far this year. Tretter said that the only time vehicles are towed would be during a declared snow
emergency, unless someone was hindering city operations.
• Heard from Sayler that the Planning Department issues 362 permits in 2017, the same number as 2016.
• Heard from Public Utilities Director Brian O’Connell that construction work at the wastewater treatment
plant to improve the facility’s grit removal process will be ongoing throughout most of the year. He
also said that an odor control project at the facility, which is postponed due to weather, will
recommence in the spring.
• Heard from Craft that traffic islands, part of a crosswalk project on East Wooster, are complete. The
islands, near the Stroh Center and the health center, are slated to get hybrid crossing beacons, which
are to be installed in February or March.
"If you see people crossing through there, just keep a heads up for them," he said.
Jeffers noted to Craft that sharrows — emblems on the road warning drivers to watch for cyclists — that
were installed on Conneaut and Fairview avenues "are taking a beating" from passing vehicles.

Craft said that the plastic the symbols are made of can pop off, and "we’re going to have, probably,
to re-stripe those with paint" instead of using the plastic material.
• Gave second and third readings to, and then passed, resolutions honoring former council members Robert
McOmber and Scott Seeliger.
• Went into executive session to discuss litigation. No action was anticipated.