May 20--TEMPERANCE -- Bedford Township has an interim fire chief after two months of delayed action by the board.
The board named Assistant Fire Chief Jim Neorr to the interim position at its regular meeting last week. He will be paid $30.94 per hour for a maximum 20 hours per week. Mr. Neorr has been acting chief since April 1, when he replaced the retiring John Bofia. He will continue to serve as assistant chief, receiving $4,120 per quarter.
The vote was 6-1, with Trustee Nancy Tienvieri dissenting. She said she had no objections to Mr. Neorr but was confused by the need to make him interim chief when he already was acting chief.
Supervisor Greg Stewart, who recommended Mr. Neorr for the interim post in March, explained that certain functions required a chief or interim chief. The measure had originally been scheduled for a vote in March as part of the consent agenda, but it was pulled at the request of Ms. Tienvieri, who said she did not want to vote on an appointment to a paid position without a discussion.
Mr. Stewart explained in a memo to the board that "an acting position denotes a short-term position, usually during sickness or other leave of absences, while an interim position usually is for an unknown time period until a board or committee can review the replacement as well of the criteria of the position."
Trustee Larry O'Dell said a proper, written job description would clarify any confusion about differences in the duties of assistant, acting, and interim chiefs. Mr. Stewart said a description had been drawn up by the fire commission but was "not acceptable."
In other action, the board approved hiring Linda Willing as an administrative assistant in the building department for $13 an hour. Mr. Stewart said she had the requisite organizational and interpersonal skills and would provide friendly service to the public. The supervisor said ads for the position attracted six applicants, three of whom were interviewed.
The board also approved a $21,562 contract with the Monroe County Road Commission for the application of deicer on roads.
It also hired Yes Deere Lawn Service of Temperance to mow high grass and noxious weeds on properties violating the township ordinance regarding such nuisances. The lawn service will be paid $40 an hour, a cost that will be assessed to owners of the problem yards.
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