Orange council hires two part-time firefighters; Kostura to return as part-time police officer

ORANGE, Ohio – Two new part-time firefighters, both Twinsburg residents, have joined the Orange Village Fire Department.

On Wednesday (Nov. 6), Village Council confirmed the appointments of firefighter/paramedic David Justus and firefighter/emergency medical technician Paul Calo.

Both were introduced by Fire Chief Larry Genova and administered the oath of office by Mayor Judson Kline.

In addition, council confirmed the appointment of former Police Chief Chris Kostura as a part-time police officer.

Kostura retired July 31 after serving 23 years as the village's police chief and 45 years with the police department.

He was unable to attend the meeting, so he will be sworn in at a future date.

Justus has worked as a full-time firefighter/paramedic with the Aurora Fire Department since 2018. He also serves as a fire safety instructor.

A 2014 graduate of Twinsburg High School, Justus earned a bachelor's degree in emergency management from the University of Akron.

He completed his basic EMT training at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in Brecksville and earned his paramedic certification at the University Hospitals paramedic program in Parma.

Justus also participated as a fire explorer with the Macedonia Fire Department.

Calo also completed his basic EMT training at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center and did additional fire training at Stark State College in North Canton.

He recently began studying at the University Hospitals paramedic program in Parma.

A 2024 graduate of Twinsburg High School, Calo participated as a fire explorer with the Twinsburg Fire Department.

His father, Chris Calo, is a lieutenant in the University Heights Fire Department.

"I'm happy to get him on his path to follow in his father's footsteps," Genova said.

Police Chief Michael Roberts said Kostura is returning to the police department in a part-time capacity, "mainly to help out with some of our extra jobs," such as at Beechmont Country Club and Pinecrest.

"I think it's a great idea, and we're glad to have him," Roberts said.

Preparing for 2025 road programs

In other action, council authorized the village engineer to prepare plans for and advertise for bid the 2025 asphalt and concrete road programs.

"This will allow the village engineer to get out there before winter and start surveying, and then we can do plans over the winter," Service Director Bob Zugan said.

An anticipated asphalt project for next year, Zugan said, will be on Brainard Road, from Emery Road going north to the Woodmere boundary line.

For the concrete program, the village will consider extension of the recreational trail on Emery Road to Phase 7 of Lakes of Orange, Zugan said.

Miles Road to be resurfaced

In addition, council had first reading but did not vote on an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Cuyahoga County to resurface Miles Road.

According to the ordinance, the village's portion of Miles Road on the north side, between Brainard and Lander roads, needs to be resurfaced.

Zugan said the village is applying for funding from Cuyahoga County through its "50-50" grant program for the project.

Through this program, the county pays matching funds for money spent by a local government on road resurfacing projects.

That means the county would contribute 50 percent, or $250,000, of the estimated $500,000 cost of the project if the grant is awarded, Zugan said.

"The 50-50 is generally awarded for projects that meet certain safety requirements of Cuyahoga County," he said. "We put in for Miles Road.

"The water main project is hopefully going to get done in 2025."

On Oct. 9, council authorized an agreement with the City of Solon for construction of a water main in the Miles Road right-of-way.

"If that project is done in 2025, we would look to repave Miles Road in 2026 as part of our asphalt program," Zugan said.

Council is expected to vote on the ordinance on third reading in December.

Shop With a Cop program

Also on Wednesday, Kline said the Orange Village Police Department is again partnering with other local police departments on the annual Shop With a Cop holiday program.

Officers will take local children in need on a shopping spree, followed by a pizza party.

"Don't forget to buy your Shop with a Cop tickets to provide funds for our police to provide local kids with opportunities for holiday gift shopping," Kline said.

"It's a wonderful program, we've been doing it for years, and it's been very successful."

Councilwoman Staci Adelman Vincent said the program provides a $150 shopping experience for each child to join in with other children and officers from around Northeast Ohio. The village's program is coordinated by Police Sgt. Joyce Sherwood.

"The more money collected, the more children can be accommodated," Vincent said.

"I really encourage everybody to support this effort. The children appreciate it so much."

The program is funded entirely through a raffle and donations, according to the village's website.

The grand prize for this year's raffle is a 50-inch color television set. Second prize is an Apple iPad, and third prize is $100 in cash.

Raffle tickets, at $1 each or 6 for $5, are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at Village Hall, 4600 Lander Road.

Monetary donations may also be made by cash or check at Village Hall or by mailing a check, payable to FOP 67, by Dec. 6 to Orange Village Police Department, Attention: Shop With a Cop,4600 Lander Road, Orange Village, OH 44022.