Minster life squad needs new director

MINSTER - The Minster Area Life Squad needs a new medical director to oversee operations, village council members learned Tuesday.

Nicole Clune, a council member who serves on the safety committee, said current medical director Dr. Ken Fox will retire Oct. 1 at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

"All squads must have a medical director," squad president Travis Sudhoff told The Daily Standard. "We run under his license and he reviews all our runs."

Sudhoff, squad vice president Kevin Meyer and secretary Bridget Sharp have spoken with JTDM Hospital officials about naming a replacement, but no decision has been made. Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater and two Lima hospitals are not interested in providing the service, Clune said.

"They don't know the ability of the squad because we don't make many runs there," she explained.

Someone from Wilson Memorial Hospital in Sidney has expressed interest, Sudhoff said.

Another alternative is to have an area physician serve in a director capacity, he said. However, the person would need additional training for certification.

"Our goal is to maintain the high level of care people in Minster and Jackson Township have come to expect," Sudhoff said. "We will continue to find a solution."

In other business, Minster Oktoberfest organizers have requested the south park area along Fourth Street be named Oktoberfest Park on behalf of the festival's 40th anniversary. Co-presidents Tim Jay and Gary Oldiges noted a plaque or some type of signage could be tied in with current park development.

No action was taken; the matter will be considered by council's park committee.

The north park, which contains the gazebo and veterans monument, was renamed Minster Machine Centennial Park several years ago.

In other business, village administrator Don Harrod said people who flush baby diapers, sanitary products and even towels down the toilet are causing sanitary sewer problems.

The problem reportedly involves a lift station serving the Parkview and Rosebud subdivisions. If pump damage results in system failure, residents could experience raw sewage backups, he said.

"We deal with this kind of problem every two years or so," Harrod added. "It goes away and then comes back."

Council members also,

• authorized Harrod to seek bids for the development of Webster Street from Park Place to First Street. The Argus Group has expressed interest in developing lots in the area. The street project has been under consideration for several years with Choice One Engineering setting a $171,241 cost estimate.

• passed an ordinance involving charges for companies exceeding current wastewater treatment limits. The surcharges, which Harrod referred to as penalties, range from 86 cents to $1.30 per pound with the exception of phosphorus. The penalty for exceeding the stated limits is $5.60 per pound. The rates go into effect July 1.

• received an update on the south substation upgrade in the vicinity of Arrowhead Golf Course. The switch house has been delivered and electrical crews are completing installation of the ground grid. Harrod said the $1 million project will increase reliability by handling electric usage when the older north substation is down for upgrades or emergencies.

• received an update on a meeting with school officials regarding work at Seventh Street park, west of the elementary school. Quotes will be sought on resurfacing two tennis courts. The school plans to install concrete at the sight of an old volleyball court to solve issues with mud after rainfall.

• approved income tax revenues of $334,562.47 for April and $310,196.54 for May, which brings the year-to-date total to $807,940.47.

• rehired James Hearn as part-time village solicitor, effective July 1, at the same $600 per month pay rate. Hearn earlier announced his intention to retire June 30 and requested to be rehired.

• reminded residents Minster-Jackson Township firefighters will be testing fire hydrants from 6 p.m. to dusk July 14, 15, 21 and 22, beginning on the west side of town and moving eastward. Residents may notice some water discoloration; Harrod recommends not doing laundry during these times.

• met in executive session to discuss the sale of land. No action was taken.

Correction:

Dr. Ken Fox is retiring as medical director for Minster Area Life Squad, not from his other duties. The error was made in reporting.