UPCOMING WATER TOWER REPAIRS … Edgerton Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles stated plans to repair the water tower could begin soon. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The February 15 meeting of the Edgerton Village Council began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer from Mayor Robert Day.
All six board members, Sharon Blinzer, Tom Karnes, Chuck Wallace, Pam Wampler, Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver and Chris Wallace, were in attendance.
In the first order of business, the council approved of the meeting minutes from February 1.
In an area of communication, the Four County Career Center has proclaimed February 1-28 as Career and Technical Education Month.
The village council then moved into its first executive session meeting. Upon return from executive session, police chief Gary Plotts then gave a report. There were 39 incidents from February 1-14, including five rescues, four citizen and agency assists and one burglary.
Plotts stated that a new patch will be put on the uniforms and one new cruiser will have decals put on this week. In addition, there was CPR training last weekend, led by Mike Thomas.
Plotts reported that a grant was received for continuing education of training, which pays for one-half of their training.
Also, four policemen are ready to come off probation and onto regular staff. In addition, Plotts stated that the annual audit will take place next week.
In the administrative report, administrator Dawn Fitzcharles stated that the water tower repair project is nearing a start date.
Though she said that there is no degrading at this time, but if nothing is done, it could happen in the near future.
The plan is to rehabilitate the water tower and not completely replace it. The projected cost for repairs is 1.71 million dollars. The project design is nearing completion and the hope is to present it to the village council in March.
Fitzcharles also stated that part of the appropriations for this meeting is for the water tower project. She said that every effort will be made to be compliant with the paperwork.
Also, since Fitzcharles and Mayor Day will be in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of March, council approved of moving the first March meeting to March 7.
Next, fiscal officer Denise Knecht stated that the 2021 financial report and Hinkle has been sent on, for review.
A park board report was then given. New playground equipment is set to be installed within the next week or so and old equipment should be picked up within the next couple of days.
The park board will also hold a fundraiser at Rita’s from 4-7 p.m. on March 8. The tree commission will soon be asking for additional funds for stump removal and taking care of dangerous trees.
Next, Mayor Day gave thanks for the great work during the snowstorm. “The team did a great job and the community was ready for business on Friday,” Day said.
In the next order of business, council approved of the police’s hiring of Byron Adams as chaplain.
Next, council approved of the hiring of four police officers from probation to regular employment. The four, approved in four separate votes, were Matthew Roesel, Justin Coffman, Tracy Harding and Mike Thomas.
Council then approved of the hiring of Eugene Wilson from probation to regular employment, in the water department.
Next, council approved of moving Devin Johnson from a volunteer to regular employment, in the fire department.
That was followed by the council’s approval of the Ohio Attorney General’s Grant of $2,396.04, for police training.
Next, council approved of the sub-recipient agreement between Williams County Board of Commissioners and the Village of Edgerton for ARPA Act Funding of $300,000.
Council then passed Ordinance 1094, providing as a supplement to the 2022 annual appropriations.
That was followed by council approving Resolution 2022-02. This provided for the establishment of a new fund that goes with the requirements of Ordinance 5705.09(F).
Next, the council approved of the paying of the bills. Fitzcharles then stated that a meeting with Maumee Valley Planning brought about points of discussion regarding Oak Street, the Lobaugh bike path and mapping at the railroad tracks.
Council then broke for a second executive session meeting.
When council returned, Wallace requested that a joint meeting be held between St. Joe trustees, the Village of Edgerton and the cemetery board.
The purpose was to discuss the current and future plans, which include an increased replacement tax levy and the creation of a full-time cemetery employee. The joint meeting will be held on March 7, at 7 p.m.
The village council then voted to adjourn.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com