Centerville Fire/Rescue prepares for radio switchover

Centerville council authorized the purchase of three dual band radios for the town’s fire department as it prepares for a new encrypted countywide communications system. 

Centerville Fire/Rescue Chief Andy Aughe requested the $13,219.68 purchase from Tech Electronics in Richmond. One radio will be his and the other two are for Assistant Chief Jimmy Lawrence and Battalion Chief Phil Bedel. 

Wayne County is switching to the 800 megahertz system in January 2026 and these new radios will work on the current and future systems. 

Aughe said CF/R conducts a lot of runs with Richmond Fire Department and it’s important that they’ll be able to communicate in the future. 

It’s uncertain which of the volunteer department’s radios will work on the new system until the switchover occurs. 

Aughe said he’s awaiting county officials’ decision about how many radios they’ll help purchase for local volunteer fire departments and how much of the cost will be the town’s responsibility. 

This purchase went through Centerville’s highway services fund.  

In other business

• As part of the process of applying for a Community Crossings state matching grant to improve roads and/or sidewalks, Town Manager Kevin Slick received council’s approval for an agreement with A&Z Engineering for $21,370 to prepare for the project. Council also guaranteed funds would be available for the town’s 25% share if successfully approved.  
• Centerville’s code enforcement addressed 16 concerns in June. Eight were related to tall grass and four were for abandoned vehicles. Two were unsafe buildings and one was for failure to seal a vacant house. Building Commissioner Gerald Millsaps said the owners of the unsafe buildings receive 15-day notices requiring they provide plans for repairs or structure removals before further action is taken. He said the roof is caving in on one home and the other’s foundation collapsed. 
• Slick reported the east water tower has been painted and final work is being finished before refilling begins in an estimated couple of weeks. A few expected glitches occurred when the town temporarily transitioned from two towers to one, but no major complications have arisen. 
• Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Rice said a few more tasks remain before town officials’ offices will move into the former bank at 220 E. Main St. The main project is getting the town’s phones switched to the new building. Rice said information will be shared through the town’s website and local media about that temporary shutdown once Comcast provides a date.  
• Centerville Police Department announced in June that it hired three new officers, Austin Hines, Jason Clouse and Robert Dykes, to replace those who left for other area law enforcement opportunities.
• In June, CPD made eight arrests (three for domestic battery, two for operating while intoxicated and one each for criminal mischief, driving while license suspended and minor in possession of alcohol). Ninety-one vehicle stops were made and 43 state tickets were issued. 

Council’s public work session will be at 7 p.m. July 30 at 220 E. Main St.