Centerville police chief announces retirement

Centerville’s police chief has decided it’s the right time to retire, and he has a successor in mind.

Ed Buchholz told town council at its March 11 meeting that his last day on the job will be May 30.

Buchholz said council ultimately can choose anyone to hire to lead the police department. However, he said Josh Millsaps has learned many of the chief’s responsibilities and could take over. After speaking with his officers, he believes Millsaps would receive their support.

Half of Centerville’s police officers attended the meeting to watch Buchholz’s announcement.

Buchholz started with the department as a reserve officer in June 1993.

“I’ve really appreciated all the support and my guys’ support,” Buchholz said. “I’m going to miss them, I’m going to kind of miss doing this job a little bit, but things have changed to the point that it’s just time for me to go. I always made that promise to myself that I would know when it’s time to go. I’ve got more life to live, things to do away from here, so that’s what my intention is to do.”

Buchholz said he wanted to put in his two cents about his replacement, but council President Dan Wandersee joked that they weren’t worth anything since Buchholz was quitting.

Councilor Jack Bodiker said Buchholz’s consultations should be available for at least three years, and someone in the audience added, “Life,” prompting laughter.

“I’ll always be around,” Buchholz replied.

Wandersee said hiring Buchholz was his first duty as a new council member, and he thought they would exit at the same time.

“We wish you well,” Wandersee said. “You’ve done a lot for this community and we sure appreciate it.”

In February, CPD conducted nine criminal investigations. Four were for educational neglect and one each for theft, indecent exposure, criminal mischief, rape and harassment. It made four arrests, one each for invasion of privacy, possession of paraphernalia and marijuana, and driving while license suspended.

In other business

• Housing: A developer requested a letter from council supporting the pursuit of an infrastructure grant to expand a section of the Sunset Estates subdivision. Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County recently announced the opportunity. It’s unclear how many houses would be added. The town’s planning commission eventually would need to approve construction. Council voted 3-0 for Wandersee to draft the letter. David Cate and Joshua Tudor were absent.
• Appointments: Several residents were reappointed to serve on the town’s Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. For the commission, Wandersee appointed Greg White, Mike Duke, Katherine Holbert and Kevin Sparks. Council’s appointments are Jack Bodiker, Kevin Slick and Ed Buchholz. County commissioners approved Andy Roberts and have one vacancy to fill. For BZA, council approved Marvin Esham, Greg White, Marilynn Buchholz and Jason Hinshaw. Commissioners approved Andy Roberts.
• Archway Days: A fundraising auction is set for 4 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Maplewood Park to support the festival. Call 765-580-3273 for more information. Firefighters recently were called for a wire issue at the park. A football damaged speaker wires, so organizers want to put the wires underground.
• Billing: A hospitalized resident didn’t know about a 94,000-gallon basement water leak, leading to a $925 bill. Repairs were made without town employees inspecting to determine if water went down the drain for sewage treatment. Council tabled a request to waive the bill until they can analyze it further. Residents are urged to call town hall for an inspection before making repairs.
• Fire: Centerville Fire/Rescue made 64 February runs, 45 of which were medical. Fourteen were fire and five were other. Council approved a former Richmond firefighter who’s a west side Richmond resident as a reserve officer.
• Water: Town Manager Kevin Slick said extra iron was in the water system the previous week. The town wants to determine a cause to prevent the issue from happening again.
• Electricity: Slick’s still waiting for the previously announced Department of Energy’s grant to upgrade the town’s electrical system.

Wandersee said the town could feel “a little bit” of impact from U.S. tariffs on Canadian energy because Canada provides 5-14% of what’s used locally.

The next meetings are a council work session, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25; planning commission, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27. The public may attend.