May 27, 2008 - Chillicothe firefighters and the city of Chillicothe reached an agreement Tuesday night on a contract which replaces a 2001 agreement with Firefighters Local 2460. Talks began about a year ago to update the seven-year-old contract and many of the firefighters union members were present during Chillicothe City Council meeting Tuesday evening at City Hall.

Less Hinnen, president of the local union, said that the working relationship the firefighters have had with the city has been good; however, the contract needed to be updated. He told council members that the union membership had approved the proposal. One of the more significant changes in the new agreement adjusts the firefighters work schedule from a 19-day cycle to a 13-day cycle, according to City Administrator Dean Brookshier. The new agreement also adjusts the residency requirements from being limited to only those residing within 10 miles of the city, to anyone living within Livingston County. The agreement is being put in place for a two-year trial and can be renegotiated at any time, according to attorney Robert Cowherd, who assisted the city in drafting the new contract. Council members approved the new contract with a 4-0 vote.

Also Tuesday night, the council accepted bids for nearly $20,000 in playground equipment this year. The city approved spending $19,384 for updates to playgrounds at Gravesville Park, Clay Street Park, Mills Park, as well as the two smaller playgrounds and the tot area of the large playground at Simpson Park. Items include toddler play units for Gravesville and Simpson parks, spring riders, swings and various climbers. Miracle Recreation will provide $17,504 in playground equipment and ABCreative will supply $1,880 in equipment.

Council members also accepted the lone bid for pole lights for lighting the walking trail at Simpson Park. The city approved spending $8,682 with Minnick Supply for six additional lights, which will give the park 15 on the lower half-mile trail (east side of the park). In addition to the parks improvement bids, council members approved a contract with Livingston County for assessment books in the amount of $2,500. City Auditor Theresa Kelly explained that the city does not have a city assessor and that the county assessor prepares the city tax book which is used to collect taxes from city residents. The council also approved a contract with Grand River Entertainment (Mudcats). Officials said that there were no changes in this year's contract compared to last year's contract.

Also Tuesday night, the council presented the family of Dean Herring with a plaque recognizing his 15 years of service on the Hospital Board. "He was a true public servant," said City Administrator Brookshier of Herring, who died recently. "He was not shy to voice his opinion." Councilman-at-Large Darrel Rinehart had served with Herring on the hospital board and said that Herring was a positive influence in many decisions for the hospital. Mayor Chuck Haney presided over Tuesday's meeting with councilmen Rinehart, Earle Teegarden Jr., Lonnie Sewell, and Pam Jarding present.