Russell Police Dept. Welcomes New Officer
Standing in the Russell Township Town Hall Dec. 7 surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, Neil Nemetz took an oath of office for the Russell Township Police Department.
Standing in the Russell Township Town Hall Dec. 7 surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, Neil Nemetz took an oath of office for the Russell Township Police Department.
Police Chief Tom Swaidner began the swearing-in, which was held at the start of the regular Russell Township Trustees meeting, by welcoming Nemetz to the team.
“We looked high and low for quality applicants and I think we found one,” Swaidner said, listing Nemetz’s qualifications.
A 2018 graduate of the police academy, he is a full-time ranger with the Geauga Park District.
“Everybody we’ve talked to had nothing but great things to say about Neil,” Swaidner said.
Trustee Matt Rambo swore Nemetz in and then his wife pinned his badge to his shirt.
Later in the meeting, Trustee Jim Mueller asked for an update regarding ongoing drainage and zoning issues around the area of Blackford Drive.
Zoning Inspector Shane Wrench said he had spoken with Geauga County Department of Water Resources Sanitary Engineer and Director Nick Gorris.
“We’re gonna try to work something out similar to Geauga Soil and Water (Conservation District), where he’s going to have to approve that there’s sewer capacity before a house gets the go-ahead from zoning,” Wrench said.
The subdivision Blackford is on was originally plotted around the 1950s, Mueller said in a follow-up discussion Dec. 11.
At present, a builder has purchased seven lots and has plans to develop them, which concerns Mueller due to the small size of the lots and the riparian setbacks.
There have also been recent issues with flooding in the area, something that resident Leslie Schroeder raised concerns over at prior meetings. Per the Nov. 2 meeting, a GSWCD technician had visited the site and believed it unlikely to flood again following changes to the drainage system.
