DEPARTMENT IN NEED Councilor Wallace made sure to make the current needs of the Edgerton Fire Department known to council and spoke passionately about the need to get younger locals involved
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Village Council met for the first time in 2024 on January 3rd. Present were Mayor Robert Day, Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles, Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht, Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht, and Councilors Lance Bowsher, Sharon Blinzler, Pam Wampler, Leslie Vanausdale, Chuck Wallace, and Jason Gruver.
After Mayor Robert Day, councilor Chuck Wallace, and councilor Leslie VanAusdale took their oath of office, a motion made by councilor Gruver to elect councilor VanAusdale as the president pro tempore was approved.
Everyone congratulated councilor VanAusdale on her position on council, and she responded by thanking everyone for their commitment and contributions to bettering the Village of Edgerton.
The mayor then touched on the progress of the renovation for the throw-back basketball game on Saturday, and everyone commented how great the current renovations look.
It was also shared that the historical society will be open during the game so people can check them out, and that Rick Heisler will be covering the radio broadcast of the game.
Mayor Day and Administrator Fitzcharles thanked everyone involved, especially the village’s two interns, for their hard work on the renovation so far.
Fitzcharles shared that there will be further improvements made to the location, and shared that the village has recently been awarded a safety grant that is to see 75% of the costs associated with a mechanical floor-mat and its installation.
The funds are expected to be received within the next 120 days, and are issued in an effort to reduce employee strain and injury historically linked to the manual laying of protective floor mats when events take place at the village administration office.
Fitzcharles also shared that the engineering for the Oak Street project should be completed in February, with construction expected to take place this Summer.
Fiscal Officer Knecht shared that there was an additional $1,400 received in back payments before the official year’s end, and the bills were approved as presented -including an invoice to August Mack for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project and December’s financial report.
She shared that budget work has moved into 2024, but there is still work to be done preparing the end of year financial report for 2023.
Council then approved the transfer of a part-time police officer to full-time, and then regretfully accepted a fire department resignation due to a change in residence.
Councilor Wallace shared that the fire department is in dire straits when it comes to personnel, and new blood is needed desperately.
Most of the department’s members find themselves with over 30 years of experience, with many of the 18 firefighters being over 60 years of age.
These 18 members are managing to protect what 35 members did years ago, and at least five are eligible for retirement. Anyone interested in working with the Edgerton Fire Department should reach out.
There is training required, but councilor Wallace made it clear that local involvement is necessary for the continued protection of the residents of Edgerton.
Another way to show your support is to attend their first Fireman’s Breakfast of the year, which will take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on January 14, 2024.
The Police Department Policy Manual was approved after its third reading, and everyone was wished a Happy New Year before the meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m., with council set to meet next January 17, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
