Bedfordtimesregister.com - Deputies will stay

by Eric Marotta

Editor

Northfield Center -- Trustees unanimously approved a one-year contract renewal with the Summit County Sheriff's Office June 15, stating they want to talk with Northfield Village and Sagamore Hills about the possibility of forming a safety district in coming months.

The contract, which is retroactive to Jan. 1 and has renewal options for 2010 and 2011, will cost the township $504,000 through the end of December. The contract will provide the township with 4.5 deputies -- down from the present 5.5 deputies.

Should Northfield Center exercise the two extensions, the new deal with the county will cost a total of $1.57 million. The previous contract cost the township $1.27 million over three years.

The county's initial bid of $1.71 million over three years was reduced by cutting some dispatching costs and the half-time deputy.

Chief Garry Moneypenny told the News Leader he respects the Trustees' decision.

"They're just doing due diligence like they're elected to do," he said. "We're looking at tough fiscal times and everybody is looking for ways to cut costs. They're talking about regionalization. All we ask is that we be a part of that discussion."

The dispatching costs, which don't become effective until July 1, caused trustees to invite surrounding communities to submit bids to replace the sheriff's office in Northfield Center.

Trustees thanked Northfield Village and Sagamore Hills -- the only bidders -- for their proposals.

Northfield Village had proposed three options extending its police department to cover Northfield Center ranging from $1.19 million for 30 months starting in July to $1.69 million through the end of 2011. Sagamore Hills bid $1.7 million over three years.

Northfield Center Trustee Richard Reville said Trustees decided not to accept Northfield Village's low bid because the township was not prepared to make a long-term commitment to the village.

"We did consider it is very unfair to the residents of Northfield Village," he said. "They've got to buy a new cruiser, they've got to get new people. What are they going to do if we don't give them a long-term commitment?

"We're covered for three years with this contract, but we've got to look beyond that," he added.

Trustee Chairman Brent Sommer said the communities need to look at other options.

"We need to look into a police district," Sommer said. "I'm not prepared to sign a three-year contract with anyone right now."

While Northfield Village Mayor Victor Milani could not be reached for comment by press time, Sagamore Hills Trustee Rose Mary Snell said the townships have been considering a trade in services for years.

Under one proposed arrangement, Northfield Center would continue to provide both townships with fire protection, while the Sagamore Hills Police Department would cover both townships.

"We've talked about this many times and maybe this time we'll get through," she said.

E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com

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