McMaster serving as interim; council to meet with Union Township

CHESAPEAKE — No action was taken on Monday to fill the position of the chief of the Chesapeake-Union Volunteer Fire Department.

The Chesapeake Village council and Mayor Tommy Templeton met in a lengthy executive session to discuss the manner and, when they re-emerged, the mayor said the council would be meeting with Union Township’s trustees to discuss the position.

Frank Meehling II resigned as chief at the August meeting of council, due to a ban on firearms for the department stemming from an insurance policy update.

Since his resignation, Joey McMaster, who was assistant chief, has been serving as interim chief.

The fire department met in the following weeks and held a vote of confidence for McMaster to become chief, which must be approved by Chesapeake’s council and Union Township’s trustees.

In other business, the council:

• Voted 6-0 to sponsor the Octoberfest, organized by the Chesapeake Area Citizens Coalition, which take place at the village park on Oct. 13. The village agrees to this annually, which allows village workers to help set up and take down the event.

• Heard from interim police chief Randy Thompson, who said the village has decided to use a cruiser, which was purchased for $1,400, for parts. He said the repairs to the cruiser to get it running were more expensive than the cost of the vehicle, but that thousands of dollars in parts, many of which are specific to police needs, remain on the vehicle.

• Voted to adopt the Ohio municipal code, traffic code and general offense code and bring the village into line with them. This is an annual vote the mayor and council agree to with each update.

• Discussed the FEMA grant awarded to the fire department. Chesapeake-Union served as the host for the $407,500 in funds, which will be split with Fayette, Proctorville, Coal Grove and Upper Township volunteer fire departments for the purpose of buying air packs. McMaster said the department has also received a $15,000 grant form workers compensation, which will be used for equipment such as a gear washing device. He also said that damage to the fire station, from a recent lightning strike, was submitted to insurance and electronics damaged have been approved and replaced.

• The next meeting of council is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 1.