Weathersfield honors police chief for 40 years of service | News, sports, jobs

Staff Photo / Bob Coupland Weathersfield Police Chief Mike Naples was honored Tuesday at the township’s board of trustees meeting for his 40 years in law enforcement, including 30 years in Weathersfield and the last 10 years as police chief. He also worked for the Girard and Warren Township police departments. Presenting the proclamation are, from left, Treasurer Patrick Glunt, Township Trustee Steve Gerberry, Naples, and Trustees Richard Harkins and Ed Whittaker.

WEATHERSFIELD – Township administrators surprised Police Chief Mike Naples Jr. on Tuesday with a special recognition for his 40 years in law enforcement, including 30 years with the Weathersfield Township Police Department.

The trustees presented a proclamation to Naples, who had been chief for ten years and captain for twelve years before that. He leads a staff of 13 police officers and one clerk.

“We have a great team here. Everyone works together,” Naples said.

Trustee Steve Gerberry said the department’s success reflects Naple’s leadership.

“His leadership skills translate to police officers who serve the community in a professional manner,” he said.

Naples said he credits the police department’s success to police personnel and community officers.

He began his career in 1984 in Warren Township as a full-time patrol officer and began in Weathersfield in 1987 and later in Girard in 1995, where he served as a juvenile officer before returning to Weathersfield in 2002 as a police captain under Chief Joseph Consiglio.

Naples became interim police chief in 2014 and then chief in 2015.

Naples, a Niles native, coached high school football as an assistant coach at Warren John F. Kennedy High School for more than 20 years.

POLITICAL SIGNS

Additionally, resident Todd Murdock said she is concerned about the excessive number of political signs on properties throughout the township, with one property at a busy intersection displaying 18 signs.

She said she understands that residents can post signs on their private property, but at some intersections there are so many signs that drivers may be distracted from seeing oncoming traffic.

Gerberry said signs can be placed on private property, which is the case at some intersections, but that the signs should not block the view of drivers. He said political signs are banned on community and school grounds and in parks.

Gerberry said he is most concerned if political signs are posted and not taken down after the election.

In other business, the township approved the demolition of four buildings deemed unsuitable for human occupancy by the Trumbull County Combined Health District: 2509 Beech St., 2188 N. Glenwood Ave., 1375 Emerson Ave. and 1345 Depot St., which also has junk vehicles that need to be removed.