BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Meeting last week, the Boardman Township Board of Trustees approved promotions for two members of the township police department.
      Glenn Patton was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and Kevin Stratton was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
      A 1997 graduate of Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration, Lt. Patton began his employment with Boardman Township in 1997 when he was hired as a dispatcher.
      In 1998, Patton graduated from the Akron Police Academy and the following year he joined the Boardman Police Department in 1999.
      He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2018.
      During his tour of duty with the BPD, Patton has served as a traffic/auto theft investigator, arson investigator, crisis negotiator, Patrol Division supervisor and as a Det./Sgt. with Youth and Family Services,
      He has also served with the FBI’s Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force, Metro Arson Task Force and Ohio Organized Crime Task Force.
      Lt. Patton is the recipient of several awards, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving Top Cop Award, Investigator of the Year of Ohio Auto Theft Investigators and Officer of the Year by the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
      The Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Polices Association recognized Patton for investigative excellence.
      Officer Stratton was hired with the Boardman Police Department in 2013. He is currently team leader and drone operator assigned to the Boardman PD’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU) and is currently assigned with the department as an auto theft investigator.
      Sgt. Stratton has also served as a member of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force in the Mahoning Valley. He is certified in tactical breaching and core criminal investigations.
      Sgt. Stratton assists in instructing all local police department training relating to active shooter response, tactical room clearing and barricade tactics.
      In announcing the promotion, Police Chief Todd Werth noted Patton and Stratton “are solid individuals who serve our community well.”
      Other Matters
      Based upon the recommendation of Fire Chief Bill Glaser, trustees approved the purchase of turnout gear for two new fire-fighters, Evan Erb and Kevin Minamyer, at a cost of $8297. Chief Glaser noted that Erb and Minamyer are replacing to fire-fighters who have retired.
      A resolution was approved for the purchase a six, new catch basin castings at a cost of $9417. The casting will replace already damaged unit, Boardman Road Supt. Kim Blasco said.
      In order to extend the life of local roadways, Trustees, acting on the recommendation of Blasco, okayed funding for $11,910 for the purchase of crack sealing material and the rental of a crack sealing machine for work on roads that have been paved over the lst two years.
      “This practice extends the life of asphalt by preventing water from getting into cracks and causing potholes,” Blasco said.
      A resident of Wildwood Dr. attended the meeting to voice opposition to Flock cameras in the township.
     
      PICTURED:  LONGTIME BOARDMAN POLICE OFFICER Glenn Patton was promoted to the rank of lieutenant last week at a meeting of the Boardman Township Board of Trustees. Pictured, his lieutenant’s badge is pinned on him by his sister, Cheryl.