Madison Twp. Trustees approve tuition policy for emergency workers

MADISON TOWNSHIP — A tuition reimbursement policy and agreement requested by Fire Chief Ken Justus was approved at Monday night’s Madison Township Trustees meeting.

This policy was first introduced by Justus during a meeting in June, when he suggested shifting away from upfront tuition payments and instead reimbursing employees once they successfully complete their training.

He said the change would give the department more security by preventing financial losses if someone drops out and would help retain trained staff in a tight labor market.

According to the tuition reimbursement policy and agreement, it encourages members to improve their qualifications for their current roles.

It will also prepare members for advancement within the Madison Township Fire Department by taking courses from an accredited institution.

Full-time employees who request tuition reimbursement will be eligible for a maximum of $3,000 per calendar year.

Part-time employees who wish to attend a paramedic training program will be eligible for a reimbursement of $5,250 upon successful completion of the program.

The policy defines successful completion as earning Paramedic Certification in the state of Ohio.

The agreement requires the employee to provide at least three years of work service to the Madison Township Fire Department.

For each month left, the township calculates 2.7% of the total and adds it to the amount the employee must repay.

The agreement allows the township to recover owed funds by withholding them from the employee’s last paycheck.

Weirich receives approval for safety sign grant

In other business, Roads Superintendent Larry Weirich received approval Monday for a $24,000 safety sign grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The funding will help cover the cost of signs, posts, bolts and nuts, including stop, yield, chevron and other roadway safety signs.

Weirich also requested — and was granted — approval to purchase new equipment in preparation for winter.

The township will add a BOSS nine-foot steel plow with lights for $9,500, along with a snow deflector and a BOSS pintle salt spreader for $11,500.

With a municipal discount, the total cost was $19,750.

“That would be the only truck we have for backup in case one of the others goes down,” Weirich said.

Madison Township joins Stormwater Awareness Week

Madison Township will participate in Stormwater Awareness Week, which runs from Oct. 1 to 7.

Fiscal Officer Leanna Rhodes said the township received a letter from the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District inviting it to take part in the event.

According to the letter, urban stormwater runoff is affecting water quality in the Rocky Fork, Black Fork and Clear Fork watersheds.

The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District states these impacts will become more severe as the township grows and development increases.

Although residents and organizations can’t completely prevent runoff, the letter said they can minimize its effects by understanding the causes of polluted runoff and flooding and taking steps to manage it responsibly.

Trustees approved Madison Township’s participation in the program.

Rhodes also brought attention to an email they received from Justus regarding the installation of a surveillance camera on town hall.

Justus said they found a stolen motorbike in the shrubs, while mowing.

“We have no cameras to see who did what,” Justus said. “So it is now in the custody of the sheriff’s office.”