PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ODOT RECOMMENDATION … Edgerton Village Council members (from left): Chuck Wallace, Sharon Blinzler, and Lance Bowsher discuss the village’s turn lane project at Wednesday’s meeting.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton residents won’t have to worry about the ‘guess the lane’ situation as the council approved a request at its meeting on Wednesday, upon recommendation by the Ohio Department of Transportation for improving proper turn lanes in the village.
Mayor Bob Day called the meeting to order. In attendance were council members, Lance Bowsher, Pam Wampler, Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver, Chuck Wallace, and Sharon Blinzler, along with Administrative Assistant Amelia Knecht and Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht. Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles was absent but participated in a Zoom call.
The ODOT recommendation is designed to improve safety for trucks and motorists. It will affect the following streets: South Michigan Street, East Indiana Street, Vine Street, and West U.S. Route 6.
Mayor Day commented that ODOT has been very good to work with regarding turn lanes. “Originally, this is what we requested,” said the mayor.
“They said their computer models said there weren’t enough radius for trucks to turn and that type of thing. All it took for them 15 minutes to a half-hour to stand on that intersection watching. They realized that Number one, there was a problem, and Number 2, there wasn’t room to turn.”
He added that ODOT didn’t hesitate to walk into Dawn’s (Fitzcharles) office and write it up on the board. “‘This is what we’re going to do’ and we’re like ‘great,’” said the mayor, referring to ODOT’s response.
Fitzcharles updated the council regarding vegetation management, line clearing, and electrical capital programs being done this week.
Edgerton Utilities and electric crews have begun joint operations with Asplundh to conduct line clearing along village right-of-ways and utility easements. The work is expected to continue for approximately three weeks.
“This effort is vital for the public safety and electric service reliability,” noted Fitzcharles in her report.
In addition, the electric department has also been working on electric lines on a relocation project on West Lynn Street. The project will include relocating infrastructure that already exists on two existing poles.
Another utility relocation project is planned behind 707 North Michigan Street, moving existing poles to improve access and reduce the impact on adjacent farmland.
Council heard an update from the Tree Commission in regard to adding 58 new trees throughout the village. The project is already 60 percent completed.
In financial matters, fiscal officer Denise Knecht reported that the beginning stages of preparing for the 2026 budget are underway.
Denise Knecht then presented the holiday schedule, as well as council meeting and payroll schedules for 2026.
“The holidays stay the same as in 2025, council meeting days are on the same days and times, but the payroll schedule there were a couple of small adjustments,” said Denise Knecht.
“The first payroll adjustment was scheduled for January 2, 2026, but it would be payable as soon as December 29, 2025, which is the same day time cards are due.
“We would like to get it done as soon as possible, because the actual pay day is supposed to fall on January 1, 2026, which is a holiday. That will give us the right amount of payrolls for each year.”
She then adjusted the final payroll for 2025, which is payable on December 30, instead of December 31, thus avoiding end-of-year posting.
Council then made a motion to approve the updated payroll adjustments. A motion was made to approve and issue invoice payment to August Mack for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project for services rendered in July 2025.
An agreement with St. Joseph Township for fire protection and capital support was approved.
St. Joseph Township donated $25,000 to the village towards the outfitting of the newly purchased fire department vehicle, and the council approved the donation. The total cost of the fire truck is $90,000.
Council thanked St. Joseph Township Trustees for their outstanding partnership and generous support towards fire protection services.
With the additional $25,000 going towards fire capital outlay, council made a motion to make an adjustment to the 2025 annual appropriations, and it was approved.
The next council meeting will be on Wednesday, September 3, at 5:30 p.m.