MEDINA TOWNSHIP – In an effort to consolidate the process and cost for entry-level testing, four local police departments are working together.

Medina Township is working with Brunswick Hills Township, Montville and Hinckley to condense the cost and effort put into entry-level tests for new police officer hires. Medina Township Police Chief David Arbogast first explained the process to the board of trustees at the Nov. 17 meeting. He said this combined process means one test is good for four different departments, as opposed to having one candidate take four different tests.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 23 with the written test being conducted Dec. 29. Those who pass the written test will move on to physical agility testing.

At the Dec. 1 regular trustees meeting, Arbogast provided an update to trustees, saying there were 62 applicants so far. In this cost-sharing program, one department may pay for one test while another takes care of costs for another aspect of testing the candidates. Advertising for candidates was also shared.

As of yet, it is not 100 percent clear whether the departments will have access to the top candidates based on need or other requirements.

On the topic of hiring new police officers, Arbogast also asked trustees for authorization to increase the authorized strength of the police department to 12 officers. The current authorized strength is 10. He was authorized to hire one additional officer in 2017. The funds for the hiring in 2017 will come from a carryover amount from 2016 funds, which Arbogast presented and explained to trustees.

A second officer will be hired if the township police department receives a COPS hiring grant, a federal grant that provides $120,000 over a three-year period. The grant will help with the expenses of hiring a second officer.

Blakslee bathrooms

Roads Supervisor Denny Miller provided trustees with an update on the ADA bathroom project at Blasklee Park at the Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 meetings.

So far, the sanitary and water lines are installed, temporary electric has been installed, footers have been dug and poured and masonry work has started. On Dec. 1, underground plumbing was started.

Three hand dryers for the men’s, women’s and family restroom, were paid for by part of the donation money received from an anonymous donor toward the project.

Fire department hires

After interviews, Fire Chief Mark Crumley told trustees he has four candidates he would like to hire for the fire department. The new firefighters are all certified level II firefighters and will be part-time for a one-year probationary period.

Two of the candidates are Medina County Career Center fire program 2016 graduates; one has previously been a member of the Medina Township Fire Department and has medic training; and another has EMT basic training as well as being certified level II.

Crumley was authorized to hire the four candidates with a start date of Jan. 8, 2017.

Next meeting changes

The regularly scheduled trustees meetings for Thursday, Dec. 15 and Thursday, Dec. 29 have be canceled.

Instead, trustees will have a meeting on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m.

The organizational meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at 6 p.m.