New London council agrees to provide fire services to Clarksfield Township

Council introduced and passed on first reading Monday an ordinance for the "fire department to respond to emergency calls for noncontracting townships outside the village boundaries." Fire Chief John Chapin reported the Clarksfield Township Trustees will not agree for fire service because residents have turned down a fire/ambulance levy three times, so there is no money in the budget. Chapin said, "It's something I think is important," because of the safety of residents, so he recommended the ordinance. He said property owners will be charged for the services. The Firelands Ambulance Service Board also voted to continue to provide services, despite lack of a contract. Police Chief Joe Hicks honored Corporal Zach Ingraham, whose fellow officers unanimously voted him 2023 Officer of the Year. He also announced Ingraham's upgrade to sergeant, and Ingraham's wife Taylor, also an officer with the department, pinned on the promotion. He will receive $25.13 an hour. Administrator Shawn Pickworth said the Coleman Ct. project is on hold because one property owner refuses to give permission for access to his land. He welcomed the new council members Jason Anderson and Mike Crabbs. He also recommended council approve removing employees Joe Hovatter and Michael Parcher from their successful probationary status, and council agreed. Council elected Steve Roeder president pro tem and introduced an ordinance preventing commercial "cultivation, processing and retail dispensing of marijuana within the village."