NEW MEMBER … Mayor Robert Day, right, swears in new council member Lance Bowsher. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The Edgerton Village Council meeting of January 3 began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer from Mayor Robert Day.
Next, Day swore in new council member Lance Bowsher. Roll call was next, with all six council members, Bowsher, Jason Gruver, Leslie VanAusdale, Pam Wampler, Chuck Wallace, and Sharon Blinzler, in attendance.
Next, VanAusdale was elected as the council Pro Tempore.
Council then approved of the minutes from both the special council meeting of December 20 and the regular council meeting from December 20.
In the mayor’s report, Day stated that the reading of names on New Year’s Eve is a solemn and reverent event.
Day said that the reading was well attended and that it’s nice to hear a loved one’s name.
In the administrator report, Dawn Fitzcharles welcomed new council member Bowsher and stated that the bad weather around Christmas was a challenge for the village.
Fitzcharles recommended that if a resident has a frozen pipe, call a professional before it thaws out.
Fitzcharles also stated that the village is working through grant provisions for Edgerton Metals and that the fire department recently received a grant.
In the fiscal officer report, Denise Knecht reported that the documents for the December financials are complete, and the results have been sent out to the auditor. The village is now working on financials for the new year.
Council then approved of the paying of the bills.
Next council approved of the 2023 committee assignments. Those assignments are as follows: Maple Grove Cemetery Board: Wallace, Butch Moffett, Dennis Gryzch and St. Joseph Township Trustees; Edgerton Park Board: Camie Hicks, Bill Swank, Amanda Giesige and Chris Sanchez; Records Commission: Day, Knecht, Chris Wallace, Greg Jennings and Amanda Herman; Revolving Loan Fund Board: Day, Knecht, Fitzcharles, VanAusdale, Edgerton Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce President and Hicksville Bank Loan Officer; Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council: Fitzcharles, Knecht, Kermit Riehle, Gruver, Scott Blue, Lynn Bowsher and Pam Fitzcharles; Edgerton Planning Commission: Day, Bowsher, Larry Welch, Hicks and Preston Knecht; Tree Commission: Becki Wilmot, Chuck Merriman, Wallace and Al Perez; Firemen’s Dependency Board: Day, Knecht, Mike Krill, Blue and Robert Adkins; Citizen’s Advisory Committee: Jennings and Blue; Safety Policy Committee: Day, VanAusdale, Fitzcharles, Kip Paul, Troy Nihart, Gary Plotts and Blue.
Next, council approved of the 2023 legal representation agreement with Richards and Walker, Ltd.
Day stated that it’s a breath of fresh air with Chris Walker and stated he’s easy to work with.
Council then approved Resolution 2023-001, for the Edgerton Sidewalks Transportation Alternative Program.
Sidewalks are proposed for the following streets: Westlake Drive, W. River, Farnham, John W., N Crane, Indiana, Miller Park Drive, West Street, W. Indiana, State Route 6, S. Michigan, Aqua Lane, Riverside Drive and sharrow bike lanes on Michigan and Clarksville Road. Most of the town will then have sidewalks.
Fitzcharles stated that the cost of the sidewalk project is just shy of one million dollars. However, it looks very promising to get a grant from ODOT, as the village is eligible for up to 100 percent funding.
This is also a reimbursement program, where ODOT will refund the money when the project is completed.
Fitzcharles said that the safe route to school project will be finished first and that the earliest that construction on the sidewalk project could begin is July of 2025.
Next, council approved Resolution 2023-002. This provides for a new fund, ODD Brownfield Remediation. This project goes along with the requirements of ORC 5705.09.
Also, Fitzcharles stated that Ohio EPA has an H2O Ohio Fund that will reimburse up to $10,000. Fitzcharles said that the village wants to purchase amplified equipment that will track water leaks.
She said that the village is working on what the equipment will officially cost. Council approved the request.
In council comments, Bowsher said that he is looking forward to being involved. Wallace said that the urban tree tour was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 4, at 9 a.m.
Council then voted to adjourn the meeting.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com