Hiram names new fiscal officer, hires assistants and appoints James Clemens police chief

Hiram Village Council on May 20 approved a series of staffing moves that the mayor said were intended to fill fiscal and public-safety roles.

The council ratified prior actions appointing McKenna Miller as acting clerk and part-time fiscal officer and then voted to appoint Miller as Fiscal Officer effective May 12, 2025, at a salary of $55,000 per year with two weeks’ vacation in the first year and three weeks starting in year two. The motion was made by Chris Szell, seconded by Suzann Bennett and passed 4-0.

Mayor Anne Haynam also reported that Jenny Carlson was hired as a part-time assistant fiscal officer at $22/hour beginning May 2, 2025; council approved the past action by unanimous consent. The council approved contracting Megan Fogal as a contract fiscal officer at $25/hour effective April 14, 2025; council voted 4-0 to ratify that past action.

On personnel in public safety, the council ratified James Clemens as a full-time member of the Hiram Police Department starting May 8, 2025 at $22/hour (motion passed 4-0). The council then approved appointing Sergeant James Clemens as Chief of Police beginning June 3, 2025, at a salary of $58,000/year with the same vacation schedule described for the fiscal officer; that motion also passed 4-0.

Public comment during the meeting included resident Susan Skrovan-DeYoung raising concerns about her retirement payout; Solicitor Luke McConville told the meeting he would prioritize that issue and respond next week.

Why it matters: Filling the fiscal officer role and placing a permanent chief in the police department assigns responsibility for financial stewardship and public-safety administration; salary and effective dates were recorded in the minutes.

Next steps: Appointed officers will take effect on the dates listed in the motions; the minutes do not record any appeals or contested votes.