LACROFT — Liverpool Township’s fire chief is back on the payroll thanks to legal counsel, but he still is not on duty.

During a Wednesday special meeting, Liverpool Township trustees reversed course a tad when they reinstated Dave Ward as township fire chief only to place him on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

All three trustees were in attendance for Wednesday’s three-minute meeting, which also reaffirmed Mike Bahen as acting fire chief while Ward’s suspension is in place.

Although not stated in the reasons for a special meeting public notice, trustees also stated their intention to hire outside legal counsel to oversee the Ward investigation.

After Tuesday’s regular meeting in which trustees Dennis Giambroni and Mike Bahen, who was Ward’s predecessor as fire chief, terminated Ward and named Bahen as chief in an acting capacity, township officials did consult with their legal counsel Bret Hartup of the Columbiana County Prosecutor’s Office, who aided them in correcting procedural course.

Following the meeting, trustees said there has been no outside firms suggested to handle the investigation and officials are still looking for possibilities.

With Ward’s reinstatement, the predisciplinary conference also is no longer available even though he is on suspension, Giambroni concluded.

The trustees next meet in regular session at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at the township meeting. This date differs from the normal meeting date due to quorum issues.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com