PEMBERVILLE – A blown engine in one of the village’s two police vehicles will cost between $3,765 and
$4,480 to replace.
Council gave its approval after debating several options Tuesday night, most with cost estimates in the
same range. The lower price will buy a rebuilt engine, the higher price will buy a new engine. The
village will go with the lower price if the rebuilt engine comes with a one-year warranty.
The vote was 4-2, with Councilmen Christian King and Gordon Bowman opposed.
Police Chief Richard Bingham told council the engine failed in late June while the 2003 Dodge Durango was
being used in conjunction with the Special Olympic Torch Run through the area. He said there was a slow
leak in the radiator, which no one knew about and the warning system that should have alerted officers
to the problem also failed. By that time, the motor was ruined.
Council briefly discussed not making the repair and going with one vehicle, but decided that was not a
good idea. One reason for not making the repair was the unknown future of the village police department,
given projections for the village budget with the closing of Modine Manufacturing.
Council later touched on the topic of a police levy for the November ballot but quickly put the issue
aside because it did not have millage values. The filing deadline is Aug. 20 at 4 p.m.
The engine money will likely come from a fund in which the village has been setting aside money for a new
police vehicle.
Council also:
¥ Heard member Eric Campbell repeat that he wanted to hear from downtown property owners who have ideas
about flood mitigation. Campbell said he has detailed information about a grant that may require as
little as a 10 percent local match to complete a project. He said there is a November deadline for the
application.
¥ Learned from King that the Freedom Township Trustees will not have to place a levy on the ballot to
purchase a new ambulance. King said the $185,000 cost is being covered by the trustees, who expect
delivery about Jan. 1, 2010.
¥ Heard that residents may continue to drop off brush at the designated site, despite a sign that
indicated dumping brush is no longer allowed. There are separate piles for grass and brush and a new
sign with arrows may be erected to clear up the problem.
¥ Agreed to work with a Pemberville Boy Scout who is interested in staging a benefit run/walk for the
Community Food Pantry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Details will be announced later.
¥ Learned the police department has a temporary employee paid through federal stimulus funds and expects
three more summer employees to start work next week under the same program.