The New Richmond Village Council made several changes at its Dec. 13th meeting. The New Richmond EMS and Fire Departments will combine in January, and the council cut the Ohio Main Street Program from the 2006 budget.

Effective Dec. 31, the council moved to abolish the present EMS and Fire Departments due to combining both departments on Jan. 1, 2006. Current Fire Chief Richard Feldkamp is retiring after 16 years as chief and 39 years of emergency services, with EMS Chief Mark Baird becoming Chief of New Richmond Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department in January.