By Craig Shirk

Vandalism in Black Cemetery, salt storage concerns at Northwestern Public Schools, and difficulty covering night shifts at the fire department were focal points at the Pike Township Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night.

After vandalism left grave stones face-down and crumbled in Black Cemetery last year, Dodds Monument and Public Entity Risk Services of Ohio (PERSO) are in disagreement over damage costs. PERSO claims that 59 markers are in need of repair, requiring $11,322 in recoupment. Dodds Monument asserts a higher tally. Pike Township trustees will play mediator as they plan to obtain “a more concrete” number on the amount payable to Dodd’s Monument, said trustee Adam Steele.   
“This is a recurring problem,” board of trustees president James Davidson said of the vandalism in Black Cemetery.
The board addressed the issue of salt storage when the Northwestern school buildings are demolished and replaced. The school is currently storing salt in the old industrial arts room at the Northwestern Middle School. Pike Township trustees agree that the school ought to use salt sheds in Pike and German townships rather than erect a new shed on the Northwestern campus.   
“Tax payers have already built two storage sheds,” Davidson said.
The trustees devised to offer the Pike Township backhoe to the Northwestern school system for obtaining salt in the future.
Emergency Medical Service Chief Cliff Christy voiced three main concerns of the EMS staff and fire department.
First, night shifts are becoming increasingly difficult to fill under the current scheduling system. The system comprises two twelve-hour shifts with two EMS staff members working the day shift and volunteers working the night shift. Christy proposed a new scheduling software program to make night-time hours more attractive to staff members. Such a program would call for shorter, six-hour shifts and allow workers to move from one team to another more fluidly.
“This program allows more flexibility compared to the rigidness of being on one team and rotating every fifth night,” Christy said.
As an alternative to Christy’s solution, the board proposed partnering with another township fire department to ensure a full staff at all times. “I’m not suggesting a joint fire district,” said Steele. “I’m just talking about working together.”
Second, Christy notified the board of longer travel time from emergency scenes to area hospitals due to the shutting down of Mercy Hospital—traditionally the primary destination for Pike Township transport patients.
“Mercy is basically shut down,” Christy said. “We are told to go to Community unless patients are in dire need of immediate assistance.”  
Last, Christy considered a replacement heating system for the 10-year-old furnace in the firehouse. A new infrared tube heater would cost an estimated $10,000-$15,000 from Clark’s Heating. The system would cut energy costs and help prevent future leaks in the anticipated new roof, according to Christy. With projected savings of 20 percent or more, the board expects to make an investment recovery in 8 years should it take this route. 
Newly elected trustee Greg Kaffenbarger was pleased to reveal plans for a digital zoning format using Holmes Printing software.
“If we get a website, this will allow for easy uploads of zoning property,” Kaffenbarger said.
Fiscal officer Cheryl Sigler also plans to go digital, as she looks forward to training in electronic reporting.
“I’m in the one percent of people not doing electronic reporting,” Sigler said.
The board approved several expenditures requested by Pike Township Fire Chief Jerry Donnelly, including an air tester, five new helmets and five new radios.
The board listened to monthly reports from road superintendent and zoning inspector Alex Turner, Christy, Sigler and Donnelly.