COPLEY TWP.: Township trustees unanimously approved more than $305,000 in equipment purchase orders for a new emergency dispatch center that tentatively is expected to open by July.
The center will serve Copley, Barberton and Norton.
The township is the fiscal agent for the $600,000 project that will be located in the Norton Fire Department. The three municipalities will cover half the cost — $100,000 apiece in cash or in-kind services — with the remaining $300,000 coming from a no-interest, 10-year state loan.
Copley Fire Chief Michael Benson said he expects the loan to be repaid within three years.
The fire and police departments also welcomed some new equipment: pet oxygen mask kits donated by nursing students in the Barberton High School Four City Compact and Project Breathe sponsored by Invisible Fences.
The students donated two kits to the fire department and seven to the Copley Police Department.
Mayors from Barberton and Norton are scheduled to attend the township’s 6 p.m. May 1 trustees meeting for a $7,500 stormwater grant presentation.
The Copley Police Department will hold its annual bicycle rodeo for youngsters from 1 to 3 p.m. June 1 in the Home Depot parking lot off state Route 18 (Medina Road).