The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Council member discusses efforts with police departments
Rick Walker also offers updates on housing, infrastructure projects during chamber program
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce on March 16 hosted government officials from its communities to provide details on major projects for 2023 and cite accomplishments from 2022. This is one in a series of articles detailing the speeches that were given.
Government leaders in Perry and North Perry villages are working together to provide each community’s police department with a better chance to retain officers.
That spirit of cooperation was highlighted by Perry Village Councilman Rick Walker during the Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Reps Update program.
Walker, during his speech, said that a joint committee of Perry and North Perry Village government officials and administrators was established late last year to focus on the topic of police retention.
“We’re losing police officers to other communities and other entities,” Walker said. “Pay is one of the reasons, and fringe benefits is another.”
In February, Perry and North Perry village councils acted on a recommendation from the Police Retention Committee regarding compensation. These councils approved separate ordinances in February that awarded raises to police officers in both communities for the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024 and 2025.
At the same time, both councils each authorized legislation that increased the accrual of sick time for police in both departments from 2.3 hours per pay period to 4.6 hours, up to a maximum of 960 hours.
Walker also said during the March 16 chamber program that the both villages’ police chiefs created a new coordinated system of staffing and scheduling officers for both departments.
This scheduling format, which went into effect in the second half of 2022, is intended to ensure proper police coverage in both communities at all times. Perry and North Perry police departments also each hired one additional fulltime officer, which has reduced reliance on part-time officers.
Walker rounded out his presentation by delivering updates on other significant projects in Perry Village, including:
• The village has applied for Ohio Public Works Commission funding to update storm sewers on Thompson Street and repave Green Street.
• Development of the new Booth Farm housing subdivision began last fall. Located at the intersection of Main Street and South Ridge Road, Booth Farm eventually will consist of about 130 houses, Walker said.
Two model homes have been built at Booth Farm, Walker noted. In addition, Perry Village’s Zoning Department has been issuing permits for construction of new homes at Booth Farms since the fall of 2022 and into the new year.
“So that project is going well,” Walker said.
• The village is looking into replacing the climbing playset at Lee Lydic Park on Call Road.
Perry Village temporarily shut down the playset in 2021 after some defects were found in a slide and it was determined it would be too expensive to replace.
The village eventually removed the slide and in its place installed a fabricated gate.
In 2022, Perry Village reopened the playset after adding the recommended amount of mulch around the apparatus and a nearby swing set. The enhanced mulch is intended to offer proper shock absorption and protection for children if they fall while playing.
“We’re hoping to install a new and upgraded climbing playset within the next five years,” Walker said.
• Perry Village’s PITCH In community assistance program, which is nearing its two-year anniversary, is going well. The program, staffed entirely by volunteers, aims to help residents in need with tasks or chores inside or outside of their homes.
Yard maintenance, snow shoveling and dog walking have been some of the endeavors performed by PITCH In volunteers.
Walker and Village Council President Jean Schonauer initially proposed the idea of launching a community-assistance program about three years go.
“We’re hoping to expand PITCH In to North Perry and Perry Township, as well,” Walker said.