New Middletown expected to hire police chief

By Mary Grzebieniak

State liquor control agents cited a village bar over the weekend.

NEW MIDDLETOWN — A new police chief is expected to be hired at the July council meeting, New Middletown Mayor Harry Kale said.

Longtime chief William Morvay announced in April that he would retire Sept. 1. Over the last month, Kale and Council President William DeBucci have met with the department’s two sergeants, Sgt. Vince D’Egidio and Sgt. Ken Goist, to discuss the position.

Both men have agreed to forgo their regular contract raises until September when the new chief is chosen. The two full-time sergeants had agreed to extend their contracts from their June 30 expiration dates to Sept. 30 because of Morvay’s retirement.

Kale also said at council’s Monday meeting he is imposing a hiring freeze on the police department until the new chief is in place.

Also, D’Egidio told council that Stephanie’s Bar and Grill was cited by state liquor control agents Saturday after an outdoor graduation party there. He said the business, on state Route 170 in the plaza, was cited for allowing customers to carry open beer containers outside. He said the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Liquor Control will set a hearing in Columbus on the matter.

Council members also agreed to ask Ohio Department of Transportation members to come to a meeting to discuss altering the traffic signal at Calla Road and state Route 170.

Members would like to see timing of the signal changed to allow easier left turns or to prohibit right turns on red because of difficulty of seeing oncoming traffic.

Council also accepted the resignation of Samantha Bright from the fire department. Fire Chief William Opsitnik said Bright moved from the area before completing a $620 emergency medical technician course paid for by the village. Village policy requires fire personnel to give two years’ service to the village in return for the cost of their classes or to provide reimbursement. He said he and Council President Richard DeBucci will pursue the reimbursement. Also, John Breneman of Austintown was sworn in as a part-time member of the police department. He will be on probation for one year.