Council votes on first reading of 2019 budget

CHESAPEAKE — The Chesapeake Village Council voted on Monday to name the new chief of the Chesapeake-Union Volunteer Fire Department.

The council voted to appoint Joey McMaster to the position.

McMaster had been serving as assistant chief since the previous chief, Frank Meehling II, resigned from the position.

The appointment had to be agreed on by both the village and Union Township.

Mayor Tommy Templeton said the village was following the township’s lead on the matter.

McMaster will be put on the job for a six-month probationary basis.

The council also voted to name Darrell Harris as assistant fire chief.

In other business, the council:

• Voted on first reading to approve the 2019 budget for the village. Once approved, the budget is sent to the county auditor.

• Heard from interim police chief Randy Thompson, who encouraged the council to consider the installation of cameras in the tunnel under the bridge to Huntington, following suspected drug activity.

• Set trick or treat time in the village for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Thompson said officers would have an extra presence that night.

• Heard from Cheryl Crum, secretary of the fire department, who said the they had received a FEMA grant for $17,000 for gear. Harris said this, along with other recent grants received, allowed them to fully outfit eight firefighters. She said the department will be putting out more grant requests next year.

• Set village clean up for Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. Residents can leave items out, which will be picked up by the street department. Items banned from collection include old tires, paint and chemicals, Josh Cooper, of the department, said.