City Council appoints new fire chief

With a 4-3 vote Willoughby Hills Council has appointed a new acting fire chief.

Lt. Tim Serazin was picked for the position previously held by Lt. Patty Heller, who was appointed in September after the resignation of Bobby DiSanto.

In the June 22 vote, Council President Nancy Fellows and fellow council members John Plecnik, David Fiebig and Janet Majka voted in favor of Serazin. Council members Christopher Hallum, Christopher Biro and Jennifer Sommers Greer voted against.

According to Plecnik, who also serves as Personnel Committee chair, overtime expenses have nearly doubled during the time DiSanto and Heller led the department.

The Fire Department’s staffing expense reports from 2013-16 show an increase in overtime expenses from $98,139 in 2015 to $192,320 in 2017. In minutes from the June 22 Personnel Committee meeting, Plecnik noted this year’s overtime expense has already reached $80,670 which exceeds the approximately $76,000 budgeted for the entire year.

“The Fire Department members appreciate Lt. Heller’s time serving as acting chief. She remains a valuable member of the fire department.” Serazin said.

Serazin notes that he would like to reassure the residents that the mayor’s office the council and the fire department share a common goal of providing the best possible service at the must responsible cost possible.

“The fire department looks forward to forging an open and honest collaboration with the mayor’s office and the council to solve not only the overtime but any others issues that my come up until we have a more permanent solution,” Serazin said.