Firefighting a recurring topic for Toronto Council

OUTSTANDING SEASON — Toronto Council recognized the Toronto Junior High School volleyball team for winning the small school division of the Buckeye-Mountaineer Athletic Conference Championship. With Mayor John Parker, who presented to the team council’s resolution honoring the team, are Coach Jenn Brown and teammates Haley Bodnar, Carmen Rush, Sydney Fisher, Nina Geddis, Cailee Rice, Gracie Ruberto and Emma Thornberry. The team also includes Kenzie Walter and coach Shannon Bahen. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — Firefighting was a recurring topic at Monday’s Toronto Council meeting, with preliminary steps for a proposed fire levy and a grant secured by the local department for equipment among matters discussed.

City Fire Chief Bill Scheel announced Fire Capt. Ryan Boyd has secured $17,251 for the department through Norfolk Southern’s Safety First grant program.

Scheel said the grant, which requires no local match, will be used to purchase unmanned hose for firefighters to use in situations that require them extinguish fires from greater distances.

He said the hose is used most often during industrial fires.

Mayor John Parker applauded Boyd for his efforts, noting there were many applicants from departments, large and small, throughout the state.

Council President Frank McEwen said while serving as the city’s fire chief, he appointed Boyd to serve as grant administrator for the department and knows he has secured “well over $100,000 in grants.”

Scheel added Boyd also has solicited various businesses for donations.

“In the last five years, he’s probably obtained nearly $200,000 in equipment that hasn’t cost the city a dime,” he said.

In related business, 4th Ward Councilman Greg Herrick asked council to send a thank-you letter to the Shell Corp. for the free training it’s provided to city firefighters.

He and Scheel noted the company, which maintains pipelines in the Toronto-Knox Township area, has invited a handful of the department’s members to four-day training sessions held in College Station, Texas three times each year.

Scheel said the training began last spring, with five participating this year.

“They have been giving us two slots with every school,” said Scheel, who added, “They all have come back with a good understanding of industrial firefighting.”

Also on Monday, McEwen announced the citizens committee he has formed to explore and promote a proposed new fire levy will have its first meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the City Building.

City officials have proposed the levy after learning the department’s pumper truck is nearing the end of its anticipated 25-year lifespan and has required more than $3,638 in repairs and parts.

The truck’s purchase had been supported by a one-time levy that has since expired.

Concerns also have been raised about allocating funds for the eventual replacement of the ladder truck, which is 19 years old but said to be in better condition.

Terms for the levy haven’t been worked out.

In other business:

• Council recognized the Toronto Junior High School volleyball team for winning the small school division of the Buckeye-Mountaineer Athletic Conference Championship.

Coached by Jenn Brown and Shannon Bahen, the team includes: Haley Bodnar, Carmen Rush, Sydney Fisher, Nina Geddis, Cailee Rice, Gracie Ruberto, Emma Thornberry and Kenzie Walter.

A resolution honoring the team noted it was the second consecutive BMAC championship for the team, which finished its season with a 10-6 record.

Brown said its members are involved in other school activities as well as being excellent students.

• 1st Ward Councilman Clark Crago announced the city’s planning and zoning commission will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 2 at the City Building to accept public comment on a proposed change in zoning for the former J&J auto dealership lot at 1515 Franklin St. to allow a small industry to operate at the site.

• Councilman at large Mike Burkey announced representatives of the state auditor’s office will conduct an exit interview with city officials required for the city’s periodic state audit at a public meeting to be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 20 at the City Building.

• Parker noted Fourth Street, from Clark to Market streets will be closed from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday to accommodate a new Christmas light-up event being held by Inspire Toronto, formerly the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization.

The event will include food and other vendors and activities for children and the lighting of a 21-foot Christmas tree, while local businesses have been encouraged to offer special sales or events.

The mayor noted the group’s annual lighting of candles, in memory of loved ones who died during the last year, again will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Gazebo Commons.

That event is slated to include live music.

Council’s next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 9.