By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Fayette Village Council met on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 6 p.m. Councilors Brittany Theis, Rodney Kessler, Suzette Boesger, Kimberlee Priestap, David Wheeler, and Bryan Stambaugh were present, as was Mayor Dave Borer.
Council first approved the agenda as presented before approving the minutes of the July 26, 2023 meeting, the August 2, 2023 safety committee meeting, and the August 2, 2023 government affairs meeting.
Leslie Teets Gype then addressed council over issues with regulations pertaining to fences that are built along property lines and was advised to meet with the village solicitor regarding specific questions.
The mayor’s report included reminding residents that the Farmer’s Market will not be running August 12, September 2, and September 23, and is set to run all other Saturdays through October 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fayette Opera House.
The Fayette CDC has chosen their “Most Improved Home” and the home with the “Best Curb Appeal,” with Matthew Keller’s 100 Block Gorham Street residence claiming the first, and Mike and Traci Maginn’s 400 Block North Fayette Street home earning the second.
The mayor shared that he is hard at work preparing for the sesquicentennial celebration, Next Treasure’s ribbon cutting ceremony, and the Shoes for Eagle Feet event on the 15th.
August 16 will see a community meal at the Family Life Center at the Fayette Methodist Church from 5 to 6 p.m., and the open house for the school will be on the 17th 6 to 7:30 p.m. The first day of school will be the day after, August 18.
Fayette Local Schools are hosting a Fall Athletes and Families Night from 7 to 11 p.m. on August 19, and the next CDC meeting is August 21 at 7 p.m.
Those that are participating in the recycling program that will take place on August 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. are asked to enter off of North Fayette Street and exit onto Eagle Street. Permitted are plastic types 1 and 2, newspaper, aluminum and tin cans, and cardboard.
Mayor Borer also spoke on Fall Fest, which will be held on September 23, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown.
It was also shared that surveys will be sent out soon that heavily relate to ascertaining funding. In order to get the funding desired, the village asks that anyone that receives a survey try their absolute best to return it, as a high rate of return is needed for the survey results to qualify for the hoped-for grant funding.
This also brings to attention the waterline survey that has been sent out in water bills and conducted door to door.
Survey collection efforts will shift to primarily in-person if a low number of surveys are returned.
The bills were updated with two that just came in the mail and were then accepted as presented.
Resolution 2023-04 was passed and declared an emergency on its first reading, mostly due to approaching deadlines for funding opportunities related to the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program.
An ordinance for code enactment related to exterior property maintenance was given its first reading, and Sgt. William McConnell was promoted to Assistant Chief before a yearly school SRO contract was approved.
With Assistant Chief McConnell’s new promotion, there is an empty sergeant position. The village was advised it may have to raise the hiring wage to entice more police officer applicants.
With no further business to discuss, the council of the village of Fayette entered into executive session to discuss matters relating to a public employee at 6:38 p.m.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com