COAL GROVE — Council members approved a three and a half month contract that will raise village union worker’s wages by 3 percent.

The Coal Grove Village Council had been negotiating with AFSCME Sub Local 711-A since November.

The collective bargaining agreement will expire on April 15 and consists of the language of the previous agreement, which expired Dec. 31 of last year.

Also according to the new agreement, negotiations for the contract beginning April 16 will begin Feb. 13.

Also at Monday’s meeting, County Treasurer Steven Burcham gave council some potential money saving tips for the village.

Burcham informed council of the Neighborhood Investment Program, which would allow the county to buy bonds issued from local municipalities at a cheaper interest rate than from other financial institutions, calling it a “win-win” for the village and the county.

Burcham also mentioned the county’s tax lien sale program, which sells delinquent property parcels at auction. Burcham told council he would let the village buy abandoned property in the village for $1 in order to fix them up and “try to put properties into service that sit year after year.”

In other business:

• Fire Chief Gary Sherman informed council that a grant the department applied for hydraulic equipment was denied, but he is still waiting to hear from FEMA grant for radio equipment.

Sherman also told council the department’s thermal imaging camera was in need of repair. As a result from a fire truck rollover accident last April, housing for the screen sustained a hairline crack, which will cost $1,100 to repair. Sherman said he was waiting to hear from the department’s insurance company.

Sherman also requested the purchase of new rubber straps for each member’s helmet. He said currently the elastic in the helmets is old and the face masks will not stay secure, and a firefighter’s mask came off during a fire.

“We could kill someone in a heartbeat if we don’t fix that,” Sherman said.

• Police Chief Eric Spurlock told council he purchased an eight-camera infrared security system with his equipment fund. For a total cost of $949.97, the cameras came with a 19-inch monitor and DRV with a lock box.

• Council went into executive session regarding employment of a public employee. No action was taken when council returned to regular session.

• Council went into executive session regarding compensation of a public employee. No action was taken and council adjourned.

The next regular meeting will be Feb. 13.