ST. PARIS – The village council heard about the potential addition of a dog to the St. Paris Police Department during Monday’s regular meeting.

Officer Kristopher Cosme said the dog would assist in dealing with drug issues. The dog could be used in traffic stops and school walk-throughs.

Cosme said training is funded through a grant. The training will be conducted in New Carlisle in May. No action was taken regarding the topic.

Later in the meeting, council approved a resolution appointing Sgt. James Wilkson as the officer in charge while Chief Jim Pence is on medical leave. The resolution was approved 3-2, with council members Niven Jester and Lynn Miller voting against it.

This action will remain in effect until Pence returns to normal duties and is cleared by his medical professional.

Village jobs update

Village Administrator Joe Sampson provided an update on job openings in the street department and water/sewer department.

Sampson said the village received an ample amount of interest in the street position and will start interviewing with the hope of bringing a name before council during the next meeting.

Regarding the water/sewer position, Sampson said the village did not receive a lot of applications and he asked council for permission to re-post the job opening. Council approved re-posting the opening 5-1 with council member Tyler Adkins voting no.

Council also approved constructing a contract for work at the local high school.

Sampson said Graham Local Schools asked if the village would be interested in putting a contract together to take care of water and sewer services at Graham High School. The services would entail monitoring equipment and testing.

Sampson said the village did this for several years. Now these services are provided by an outside company.

The action was approved 5-1 with Adkins voting no.

In other action:

•After receiving no bids for the sale of property located at 9746 W. U.S. Route 36, council approved putting the property up for bid again. Council also approved renting the property on a monthly basis.

•Following up on testing of water from February, Sampson said lead is not an issue in the village’s water.

•As the calendar turns to spring, Sampson advised residents with potential zoning violations to start cleaning up.

•Council approved the appointment of Mark Traylor to the Johnson-St. Paris fire board.

•Resident David Palmer informed council that on March 19 the First Baptist Church of St. Paris will conduct an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and asked for police to patrol the west side of the village.

•Council was informed that on Sept. 10 a car-truck-bike show will be held at the former junior high, 370 E. Main St.