By James Massara
NEW WASHINGTON – New Washington Village Council increased the size of its police force during its regular meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Council unanimously voted to hire Sgt. Jeremy Schick as a full-time officer with the New Washington Police Department. Schick previously was a part-time officer.
Schick began with the department in May 2015 and was promoted to sergeant in October 2016.
The resolution passed by council stated Schick, “meets the physical and mental requirements” necessary to perform the job and “passed the necessary examinations and background checks.”
Schick had the approval of both the mayor and police chief.
Including the chief, Schick is the second full-time officer on the NWPD force.
Also during the meeting, council members said their farewells to council member Gerri Lucius as she completed her term on council.
Lucius chose to retire from council after serving in the public office for 16 years.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve on council,” Lucius said. “Sometimes I think if I made the right decision, because I’m going to miss serving such a great community, but I know the time is right.”
Matt Weithman won the open seat in the November election and will begin his term in January.
In old business, council had its second reading of an ordinance involving the construction of residential fences in the village. The ordinance declares how close the fence may be to a property line for maintenance purposes.
The ordinance’s third reading will occur Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
Mayor Ben Lash said he asked the building inspector to not issue any fence permits until the ordinance readings are completed.