The DeGraff Village Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, where community members voiced many concerns about emergency services.
Community members are upset after the recent announcement from the Riverside Emergency Medical Service stating they will no longer operate after December due to lack of funding. The village is required by the state to have a police and fire department, but not an EMS. For Emergency Medical Services the village will soon have to rely on squads that belong to surrounding areas such as Indian Lake.
Visitors stated that the 15 to 20 minutes it will take for the squad to arrive in DeGraff is not acceptable and can cost lives. Council members stated that they understand the need for these services within the village, but need greater funding, as well as the cooperation of other councils, to effect change.
The council then moved on to discuss vacating an alley, which has gone unused for several years, on Moore Street and State Route 235.
Members also approved the resignations of John Hunkler and Colby Ransbottom, discussed the code for junk vehicles, approved the fire department’s donation of materials to the historical society, certified $300 in funding for the purchase of three new police shirts, approved the park fields for practice use by Coach Pitch and T-Ball teams, and amended the handbook with Ordinance 2023-31.
The Ordinance is defined as: Authorizing the modification of certain provisions of the village of DeGraff, Ohio Employee Handbook and declaring an emergency in the village of DeGraff, Ohio.
The council also discussed the cruise-in car show taking place on Friday, the 21st, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Supported by local businesses Buckeye State Bank and Bell Insurance, the show will be held at 508 Main Street in DeGraff, with the street closed from 3:00 to 8:00 pm.
Mayor Stephanie Orsborne describes the event:
The meeting then went into executive session. No action was taken.
The next council meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 1st.
