A swearing in ceremony for three new police officers was held during City Council’s July 11 meeting. Austin Chaplin, Brandon Grant and Jonathan Patton were welcomed to the Galion Police Department by Mayor Tom O’Leary and Police Chief Brian Saterfield.

Saterfield noted all three officers are fresh out of the academy and are in their second week on the road. The hiring brings the staff back to 18, after two retirements and a transfer.

Also, Ryan Strange was promoted to lieutenant. Has worked at the department since 2009. Pastor Ash Welch from St. Paul United Methodist Church was sworn in as chaplain for the Police Department.

In legislation, council passed five items involving the issuance of notes for various projects. At the previous meeting, council already approved the issuances. Law Director Thomas Palmer explained that since then, the chairman of the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission, which gives final approval on the note issuances, requested to add a sentence to all of the legislation. The amended legislation needed to be approved.

The additional sentence reads: “The City will comply with all provisions of Chapter 118 of the Ohio Revised Code, with the orders, directions and requests of the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission and the Auditor of the State of Ohio under and pursuant to Chapter 118 of the Ohio Revised Code, and with the financial plan.”

The note issuances are as follows:

• $290,200 for the Portland Way North project, which is a sewer line replacement and reconstruction of 900 feet of roadway.
• $300,000 for the Charles Street sewer project. It will extend a sewer line on Charles Street and improve a lift station. OPWC Issue I funds will pay for a portion of the cost.
• $240,000 for the purchase of two ambulances. One will be paid for with a FEMA grant.
• $1,575,000 for phases four and five of the electric system upgrade. The upgrade includes the Uptowne Business District and northeast quadrant of the city.
• $1,139,400 in paying off a principal payment and retiring some existing debt.

The Parks Committee will meet July 12, Finance will meet July 19, and Police, Fire and Health will meet July 26. The Economic Development and Airport Committee meeting was rescheduled for July 27. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the city building.