As the deer population continues to grow in Rossford, with bucks and does frequently wondering around the downtown area, city officials have contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to learn how they can respond.

At a February 8 meeting of Rossford City Council, Police Chief Todd Kitzler explained that he met with Bob Ford, ODNR wildlife management supervisor, who discouraged the city from having a count conducted.

“They have been shown to be unreliable and fairly costly,” the chief said.

Instead, Mr. Ford recommended the police department track its deerrelated calls.

Chief Kitzler said last year there was only one vehicle/deer crash reported, one complaint of damage and seven incidences where an officer had to euthanize a deer.

“We also need to educate the public,” the chief said, especially those who are feeding deer.

“That causes more problems and attracts more deer,” he noted, and can spread chronic wasting disease, a deadly infection among the animals.

City officials spoke with Mr. Ford about the large numbers of geese at Veterans Memorial Park, as well. He will return to the city to visit the park and continue the discussion.

Councilman Robert Ruse was glad to see the meeting take place.

“I feel like it’s a big problem,” he said. “Tonight there was a buck by my driveway and three or four more in the backyard.”

He also questioned whether there are more calls about coyotes in town that are attracted by larger numbers of deer.

Mayor Neil MacKinnon III promised the city will continue to investigate the issue.

“We’ll find out if these are problems and not just common nuisances,” he said.

Joint Fire/EMS Study

The possibility of combining Rossford fire and EMS services with area communities’ departments will be examined in an upcoming study, at a cost of $50,000.

Council approved an agreement for the Wood County Port Authority to coordinate the study, working with Northwood and Lake Township, and concentrating on the area along State Route 795.

“I’m very happy to see this,” Councilman Bob Densic said, adding he hopes Perrysburg Township could join as well.

Council President Larry Oberdorf agreed, “This is a great opportunity.”

The cost will be split with Rossford, Northwood and Lake Township each paying $15,000 and the Port Authority paying $5,000.

City officials from the three communities have been meeting to discuss the idea since October.

After the council meeting, Rex Huffman, attorney for the port authority, said he encouraged area officials to consider cooperative efforts.

He noted the example of Rossford firefighters passing Perrysburg Township to fight a fire at Home Depot, while Perrysburg Township firefighters pass Rossford to reach the Hamlet subdivision.

“We have to figure out a better way to serve the public,” he said. “We’ve tossed this out there, but I don’t know where it’s going to go. It’s a very hot potato.”

Mr. Huffman noted that Rossford and Northwood completed a study of joint operations a few years ago, but nothing was done with the results.

“I’m not sure we need a joint fire district, but we’re all buying the same trucks, and no one has enough people to operate all the departments,” he explained.

When the port authority recently coordinated a safety study on traffic and development along Route 795, they spoke with area officials about a variety of issues. One common question they heard was “can something be done with safety services?”

Police and Fire Equipment

Council heard the first reading of an ordinance to lease three police vehicles, 2021 Ford Explorer Ecoboost Police Interceptors, from Reineke Family Dealerships of Findlay, at a cost of $36,875. After three years, the city can buy them for $1.

“This will allow the city to more effectively plan vehicle costs,” City Administrator Allyson Murray said.

Council member Caroline Zuchowski Eckel said the public safety committee, which she chairs, examined the option of leasing police vehicles.

For the past five years, the police department has budgeted $60,000 each year for a replacement vehicle.

“These vehicles stay in the fleet for seven to eight years, and they are out of warranty after three years,” she explained. “We are spending a ton of money repairing these older vehicles– sometimes $18,000 per vehicle. Maintenance has been a killer.”

Meanwhile, the fire department is exploring options for its 20-year-old ladder truck, which is again out of service for repair at Ohio Cat.

“This latest repair is $5,000,” Council member Eckel noted.

Fire Chief Josh Drouard would prefer to purchase a pumper truck instead of another ladder truck. However, the new Amazon fulfillment center requires a 100-foot ladder to access its four stories.

Ms. Eckel explained that the city can rely on mutual aid, using another community’s ladder truck, but they must be 2.5 miles from most of Rossford’s streets to maintain the city’s insurance rating. Also, Rossford firefighters will have to train on operating the other community’s ladder truck.

The committee discussed applying for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase a new fire truck, requiring the city to only pay 5 percent.

However, it would have to pay nearly $1 million up front and be reimbursed through the grant, which is not possible at this time, she added.