New chief in town
Watson delivers first report to Bellaire Village Council
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BELLAIRE -- Village Council heard its first report from new Police Chief J.J. Watson on Thursday.
Watson, a 24-year member of the force, was named to the post at council's April 20 meeting. He was promoted to the position after serving as lieutenant/assistant chief. He replaces Dick Flanagan, who retired as chief April 1.
Watson told council that 81 total reports were filed with the department in April. Under the area of code enforcement, he said eight residential properties were inspected, and 12 code enforcement complaints were addressed. He said the vast majority of property owners complied with the code upon being informed there was a problem, often within a day.
He said there is one individual who needs help being coached about what needs to be done on his property. He noted the majority of complaints were related to garbage.
Watson also said he attended Critical Incident Training and will have the opportunity to send other officers to the training in the future.
He said the training is free, with the village only obligated to pay for the trainees' time. It is offered three times annually. He believes it would be beneficial for all officers to receive the training.
The chief also provided an update on the planned demolition of a home at 4239 Noble St. that burned in mid-April. Because the blaze was ruled an arson fire, the property owner still is awaiting a demolition from Nationwide Insurance.
Watson said the investigation has slowed the process, but the building will be razed.
"It is an active crime scene at this point in time," Watson noted.
Watson told council that some new duty weapons have been ordered through Vance Outdoors in Columbus and that an anonymous donor had given the department an active shooter entry vest -- a ballistic vest that contains rifle plating and could withstand multiple rounds. He said the vest would be kept in his cruiser "just in case" to be readily available. He said he would like to have three such vests for the department and said they cost about $300 apiece.
Mayor Ed Marling told Watson to get him an exact price and that he would purchase one and donate it to the department.
Councilwoman Janet Richardson indicated that council would like to thank the donor for their support.
Watson also thanked the village workers for helping to clean up the police department. He said council Clerk Mary Hagiloizou and Marling assisted with the effort. He added that a local resident who works in construction is daunting his time to help with some repairs in the police headquarters.
Richardson elaborated, saying a "fake wall" needs to come out and be replaced with a door.
"Everything needs to be painted there," she said. "We need some new flooring. ... It's not anything elaborate, it's just, we just need this place cleaned up. Paint and flooring and more shelving is needed so that can be updated a little bit."
Watson said Ohio Valley Airsoft is donating five metal filing cabinets to the department. He noted that would be a big savings, as the estimated cost of each cabinet is $800.
Finally, he asked for the Ordinance Committee to meet and create an ordinance for special officers -- a measure that would define their roles and ensure that the department and
He said special officers are non-commissioned officers who have no arrest powers. They have various duties ranging from simply assisting regular officers to appearing in parades and even serving as special investigators. He cited the example of one individual, Bob Conaway, who will serve as a fire investigator and liaison with the fire department and fire marshal's office. He said the ordinance would help to ensure the village and the individuals who serve as special officers are covered in terms of liability.
Meanwhile, council broached the fact that T.J. Schultz, who was named village solicitor earlier this year, is no longer serving in that position. The village intends to advertise for a replacement.
Council also:
Voted unanimously to hire two part-time laborers, Lorenzo Pendergrass and Nathan McCabe, to work for the sanitation department; and
Voted unanimously to spend $144,200 to purchase a backhoe from Murphy Tractor and Equipment in Cambridge and to secure financing through Belmont Savings Bank at a rate of 3.9% interest for a term of 82 months.
Council then entered a closed-door session for about 40 minutes to discuss personnel and potential litigation. After returning to regular session, members voted 5-1 to pay SET and Trumbull Manufacturing the balance of money owed for an air stripper and water meter installation project. SET will be paid $27,000, but the amount owed to Trumbull was unspecified. Council members Robert "Bubba" Kapral, Richardson, Elizabeth Dugmore, Jerry Olack and Jerry Fisher voted in favor, while Mike Doyle was opposed.
The next regular council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. June 1 at the municipal building. A Utility Committee meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 9.