Carey council inducts new officer

CAREY — Terry Nordyke was sworn in as a part-time Carey Police officer at the Carey Village Council meeting Monday. According to Carey Police Chief Jeff Conley, Nordyke is a Carey High School graduate and attended Ohio Peace Officer training at the University of Akron. In the past he has worked in the Army National Guard, the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office, the Carey Public Works Department and when not helping to keep Carey residents safe as an officer, he currently also works as a technician for Carey's waste water treatment facility. Conley reported the move from auxiliary to part-time officer made sense because of Nordyke's experience to help fill in current coverage needs. Later, Mayor Chad Kin informed council Our Lady of Consolation Basilica leadership is currently debating reversing a previous decision to not allow camping within village limits during the Novena pilgrimage starting in 2026 after reports of vandalism of church and village property. While the matter is currently under discussion, Kin reported the 2025 pilgrimage had been different from past years and was more orderly, saying EMS and police were able to patrol through camping areas and had access to individual sites when needed. "It may be a non-issue," Kin said. "... This year went really well … Police presence made a huge difference." In other news, the council also discussed sidewalks in disrepair in village limits. Kin reported Neil Puchta, public works director, was in the process of making a final assessment and any costs associated with sidewalks would be applied to the property owners' taxes. Also at the meeting, Carey administrator Mike Roszman reported the Carey Fire Department would be holding an educational fire prevention day with activities scheduled from noon-4 p.m. Sunday at the Carey safety building, located at 127 N. Vance St., Carey. Council then approved a resolution authorizing the village administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and local improvement plans and tabled an ordinance vacating a portion of an alley near West Brown Avenue and North Lake Street. Council went into executive session to discuss personnel issues. No action was taken. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at 127 N. Vance St., Carey.