ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — Following St. Clair Township Police Chief Brian McKenzie’s announcement of Senior Patrol Officer Kelsy Hedrick’s notification for retirement during Monday’s meeting of the St. Clair Township Board of Trustees, the trustees reluctantly accepted the notification of retirement for Hedrick.

Hedrick’s retirement will take effect Sept. 5.

McKenzie said that Hedrick dedicated 28 years of his life in law enforcement serving the public and the last six of those years were with St. Clair Township Police Department.

Trustee Robert Swickard said he has known Hedrick for all the 28 years he served and his are going to be some big shoes to fill on midnights.

“Kelsey (Hedrick) is definitely going to be missed, not just here but in the community,” McKenzie said. “What he has done, there is nobody who can hold a candle to what he has done as far as community policing, and the historian and Christmas side of things and the dedication. It’s not just law enforcement; it’s the love he has for the community and it’s second to none.”

With Hedrick’s retirement, a vacancy is created in the police department. The trustees have given approval for the chief to post the vacancy to hire another officer.

McKenzie then told the trustees he had concluded the speed study of several township streets that the trustees tasked him with and submitted his recommendations for the trustees to take the next steps. Resolutions are expected to be voted on at the next meeting regarding the speed limits.

McKenzie told the trustees he was proud of his guys and the collaboration with the other departments regarding Friday night’s domestic violence situation which required multiple law enforcement agencies including the county’s hostage negotiator and Special Response Team. The situation was resolved in a manner with the suspect being taken into custody.

Fire Chief Dave McCoy, Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department, initially reported to the trustees that the department had responded to 24 calls for service for the month but had to change that to 25 as the fire department was dispatched to provide mutual aide to East Liverpool for a house fire while he was giving his report.

McCoy said the Italian Fest went well and it will become an annual event along with the St. Patty’s Day Fest.

Station 10 will be holding a free community day on Aug. 30.

The trustees approved four resolutions.

They approved the OTARMA renewal for $63,968, which is a $10,000 increase from last year.

They approved two resolutions to allow Comcast to work within township right of ways and they approved a resolution to provide notices to the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center and Beaver Local School District of intention to Pass I TIF V resolution. Swickard will present the resolution to the schools.

Purchase orders totaling $86,040.93, blanket certificates totaling $40,243.60 and bills totaling $157,339.36 were approved for payment.

The township offices will be closed on Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.

The St. Clair Township Board of Trustee meets every other Monday at 4 p.m. at the township government building. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Kgarabrandt@mojonews.com