Sycamore Township's fire department added 14 part-time firefighters who finished orientation Thursday, Sept. 10. The township raised part-time firefighter pay at its July 21 meeting to $22 per hour for EMTs and $25 per hour for paramedics.
Lt. Chris Ramsey told the Sycamore Township Board of Trustees at their Sept. 1 meeting that the new hires had completed orientation and that the department was still reviewing applicants for a fifteenth position, according to the Sept. 15 draft document packet.
The fire department's August report showed 436 fire and EMS incidents requiring 676 unit responses. The department logged 934 training hours that month. Tuesdays were the busiest call day with 74 incidents.
Galbraith Road grant application
Trustees are scheduled to vote Tuesday, Sept. 15, on a resolution authorizing Maintenance Superintendent Steve Reutelshofer to apply for an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant for the Galbraith Road Rehabilitation Project. Township Administrator Greg Bickford would be authorized to execute any resulting contracts. The resolution describes the project as "a priority need for the community."
The resolution is listed for first reading with the second reading dispensed, meaning trustees could adopt it in a single session.
Multi-agency emergency drill set for Sept. 27
A large-scale emergency exercise involving the Sycamore Township Fire Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27. Lt. Sovern of the sheriff's office told trustees at the Sept. 1 meeting that Blue Ash, Deer Park and Madeira had been invited to participate.
Trustee Tom Weidman asked about being short on volunteer role-players for the drill. Lt. Sovern said the security guard the sheriff's department had been coordinating with had left the mall and that organizers were working to recruit extras, possibly using what the minutes describe as "specials."
Sept. 1 meeting recap
Trustees unanimously approved three resolutions at the Sept. 1 meeting. Trustees Tom Weidman, Tracy Kellums and Tracy Schwegmann all voted aye on:
- Resolution 2026-065: A Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) contract with the City of Reading along Reading Road/US 42 and Chaucer Drive. As we reported Sept. 14, the public hearing on the JEDD drew no public comment, and Weidman closed it at 5:05 p.m.
- Resolution 2026-066: A tax-exempt bond funding notice for the Veterans Memorial Project.
- Resolution 2026-067: A Tax Increment Finance Exemption School Compensation Agreement.
Trustees also approved $26,400 for full-time bunker gear from Fire Acquisitions Company and a $28,000 blanket vendor agreement for fire utilities. Mark Saylor's pay rate was set after his promotion to crew leader in the Maintenance Department.
Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus presented what she called a "Menu of Opportunity" covering county grant programs, the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition, composting expansion through the Solid Waste Management Committee and upcoming ballot levies with emphasis on Children's Services.
Fiscal Officer Jonathan T. Deters reported receipts of $791,513.04 and disbursements of $1,140,519.25. The board entered executive session to discuss pending litigation and property acquisition before adjourning at 8:43 p.m.
The Sept. 15 agenda also includes a Breast Cancer Awareness Month proclamation.
