PERRYSBURG — Four fire department employees have received recognition for their efforts in 2023, all through nominations from their department.
In a ceremony at the start of the Dec. 5 city council meeting, Ryan Helwig was named Firefighter of the Year.
Helwig received the greatest number as well as the most thoughtful and detailed, said fire Chief William McCullough.
Some of the comments included he exceeds expectations, has a witty sense of humor, he’s the first to step up and lend a hand when needed and he is a shows compassion for all patients, McCullough said.
Other honors went to Alan Bagdona, fire department officer of the year, and Joe Brainard and John Cannon each receiving merit awards for their work in the department. Each winner was nominated by fellow firemen in their department.
In other action, council approved a resolution authorizing awarding a bid of $1,768,600.39 from Insituform Techologies, USA LLC for the Grassy Creek sewer lining project, and declaring emergency passage.
Language in the resolution describes the necessity of the work because sanitary sewers in older parts of the city were in poor condition due to age, tree roots, and original construction methods. Sanitary sewers are described as having circumferential or longitudinal cracks that allow clear water to enter the sanitary sewer leading to basement backups as well as overflows into Grass Creek or the Maumee River. The city is required to eliminate the Emergency Response Sanitary Sewer Overflow to Grassy Creek at Maple Street.
This project includes about 5,900 feet of sewer lining in 10-, 12-, 15-, and 27-inch sizes of existing sanitary sewer as well as restoring service connections, point repairs, pre-cleaning, bypass pumping during the lining process, and maintenance of traffic.
Several additional actions were approved via emergency vote, including:
• A resolution to authorize a $188.60 sewer infrastructure cost recovery refund to Wright Custom Homes.
• A purchase agreement with Murphy Tractor and Equipment Co for the puchase of a Towmaster T-50LP trailer for the city’s department of public utilities for $52,986.40.
• The purchase of a Vactor Model 2115I truck from the Jack Doheny companies, Inc. at a cost of $610,617.00 for the Grassy Creek sewer lining project, used to vacuum up both wet and dry materials from the sewers during maintenance and repairs.
• A $5,316.75 sewer infrastructure cost recovery refund to MR Developers.
• An ordinance for current expenses and other expenditures of the city of Perrysburg.
• A purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., for the purchase of eight portable radios for the police department at a cost of $38,842.
Council also discussed its 2024 budget and capital improvement plan.
