(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT HONORED .. From left Mayor Bob Day, Dakota Burke, Trevor Lawson, Electric Superintendent Troy Nihart, Jeremy Wright, and Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Village Council met on Wednesday, May 7 immediately after the joint cemetery board and St. Joseph Township Trustee meeting. Called to order at 5:30 p.m., the meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer led by Mayor Bob Day.
Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht followed with roll call. All members were in attendance. Also in attendance were Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles and Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht.
The council approved the meeting minutes from April 16. With no discussion, Gruver made the motion to approve which was seconded by Wampler and approved by all.
Mayor Day started by inviting the electric team up to receive the 2024 Certificate of Excellence in Reliability awarded by the American Public Power Association.
The distinction is “Not just a trophy on the shelf, but it symbolizes their commitment to providing exceptional electric service to the residents of Edgerton,” shared Fitzcharles.
The village administrator also highlighted the financial savings that the electric team has been able to provide, including over $100,000 saved through tree trimming and removals and cost-effective solutions like basket truck use and in-house repairs. Fitzcharles introduced the team members Electric Superintendent Troy Nihart, Trevor Lawson, Jeremy Wright, and Dakota Burke.
Mayor Day continued with a proclamation naming May 4 – 10 as Drinking Water Week. Tap water serves essential purposes for health and hydration, as well as public health and fire prevention. Citizens are called upon to help protect source water from pollution and to practice water conservation.
The mayor’s report was next, where Day highlighted the recent Arbor Day program, attended by over 100 people. Both Edgerton Elementary and St. Mary’s students performed music at the ceremony where a tree was planted and dedicated to Levi Hess.
Day reflected on the appreciation the family had for the community coming together to support them in a time of tragedy and continued support. Mayor Day called it, “A great day in Edgerton.”
Fitzcharles followed with the administrator’s report. Starting with updates from the Edgerton Main Street meeting, upcoming dates of note are the town-wide garage sale set for June 5-7, truck pulls on June 28, and Homecoming on July 19 including the annual parade. Parade forms are available online.
In conjunction with drinking water week, available for residents are leak detection tablets in the utility office. The village recently completed and received the report from a water leak detection survey.
Of the 16 miles, 316 access points, and 129 hydrants surveyed, three leaks were detected losing approximately 4,000 gallons per day. This amounts to a water loss of 5%. Steps are already being taken to replace one hydrant and two valves.
The fiscal report followed, with Denise Knecht beginning by presenting the April financial reports for signature, which had been sent to the council via email on May 1. Next was the credit card policy review, provided via a handout, covering the period from March 16 through April 15. The final item was a motion to pay the bills, made by Gruver and seconded by VanAusdale. The motion was approved by all members.
The business moved along to motions, resolutions, and ordinances. The first item was the reclassification of a street department employee.
Probationary employee Luke Gary has completed the probation period and will be reclassified as a regular full-time employee. The motion was approved by all, being made by VanAusdale.
The next item was a motion to approve the NOCAC unaffiliated site agreement for the Edgerton Summer Lunch Program. As explained by Fitzcharles, it is a pretty straightforward agreement and lists the rules and responsibilities of the unaffiliated site.
The lunch program runs from June 2 through July 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Led by Pastor Jennifer Miller, the lunch program is expecting approximately 25 participants this summer.
The motion to approve was made by Bowsher after stating this program is one of the reasons the building was kept. The motion was passed by all members.
Council addressed Resolution 2025-006, requesting the Williams County Auditor to certify the total current tax valuation of the subdivision and the dollar amount of revenue pursuant to Ohio revised code section 5705.03(B).
Denise Knecht elaborated that this was for the renewal of the 2026 fire levy and is the first step in the certification process, with multiple steps to follow. The motion by Gruver, seconded by Wallace, was approved by all members.
Ordinance No. 1154 followed which is an ordinance to consolidate the electric/water deposit fund and sewer deposit fund into the utility deposit fund, transferring funds from the electric, water, and sewer funds to the utility deposit fund and providing for a supplement to the 2025 annual appropriations.
All deposits were kept separate, and this will streamline the deposit process. This will also assist in automation for record-keeping, making the process less susceptible to human error and more efficient. The motion was made by VanAusdale, seconded by Blinzler, and approved by all members.
The final item of business was council discussion. Blinzler spoke about a strange beeping sound heard in town in the early morning hours. Fitzcharles stated she had been notified and consulted Superintendent Wilhelm to verify it was not something related to the school. The mystery persists.
Council then accepted a motion by Blinzler to go into executive session to discuss the acquisition of property at 5:56 p.m. with no action expected to follow.