PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PD REPORT … Police Chief Tim Livengood gives his August report to the Pioneer Village Council.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Pioneer Council met on September 8, 2025, at 7:02 p.m. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a call to order from Mayor Ed Kidston.
In attendance were President Ben Fiser, Alan Fiser, Bryan Gendron, Trever West, Joe Nickloy, and Dean Frisbie. Administrator Anthony Burnett, Solicitor Tom Thompson, and Jeana Gruber were present as well.
The council asked for an amendment to the agenda by including Ordinance 29-2025 to the discussion list for the executive session.
The previous month’s meeting minutes were amended to correct minor grammar errors and to clarify that the village was selling a utility vehicle rather than trading it in.
The August 2025 financial report was presented and approved. Council then approved the payment of bills, including a payment of $18.89 to Nickloy’s Fix & Fab, with Nickloy abstaining from the vote.
Visitors included representatives from the Eagle Pride Committee regarding the Community Center for Homecoming.
As a “parent-lead group,” Kristy Meyers and Stephanie Mills requested that the Council donate the Community Center for the 2025 Fall Homecoming on September 27, 2025.
They explained that the school is not providing any funding for several school-related events, and instead, the Eagle Pride Committee has taken on the responsibility and funding, which has already led to strain. The Council unanimously approved the request.
Dana Clark from the Lucas County Port Authority (LCPA) visited the Pioneer Council as well. She explained that through the LCPA, a program called PACE (Poverty-Accessed Clean Energy) offers financial assistance for businesses across Northwest Ohio.
With the program already in place in other villages in Williams County, Clark informed council about what the PACE program offers and how its financial lending system works.
A local business in Pioneer, Action Precision through Eckley Enterprises, has requested a partnership for HVAC upgrades and electrical repairs.
Chief Tim Livengood gave the police report addressing the continued nuisance property complaints throughout the village.
While he stated that many have been successful with fixing the requests, several properties in Pioneer remain unchanged. Potential legal action may take place in the future.
Administrator Anthony Burnett stated that the Sooz Building demolition has been rescheduled for September 17, 2025.
He is continuing to work with ODOT for the State Route 15 full closure at the intersection. A purchase agreement for the vacant lot after demolition is in the works with the current owner, contingent upon the village providing a memorial plaque.
Trick-or-Treating has been scheduled for Halloween night, Friday, October 31, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Burnett noted that the Splash Pad will have reduced hours of 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will be closed for the winter season on October 1, 2025.
The fiscal report was given by Jeana Gruber, which gives an estimated August revenue amount of around $20,000. The Fill-a-Cruiser Police Department fundraiser amounted to a total of $228.
Mayor Ed Kidston then moved forward to introduce a list of “Motions for Clarification.” These motions pertain to the potential confusion of Pioneer Fire Department, First Responder, and solar panel concerns, council members, or community members might have.
After the reading of each statement, council members were asked to vote on whether they agree or disagree with the motion and therefore set as an official clarification upon majority agreement.
They are as follows:
-“Nothing is free; there is a cost associated with providing emergency type services.” Unanimously agreed.
-“As a wide general statement, Pioneer taxpayers over the past few decades have invested over five million in emergency buildings, equipment, training, manpower, and a robust water system to secure an excellent ISO rating of 4, saving insurance premiums for our village residents, and those communities who choose to contract with us.” Unanimously agreed.
-“Currently, Pioneer residents do not pay any additional tax for the expenses of emergency services as all expenses are covered through our general fund and 1% income tax.” Unanimously agreed.
-“Prior to the end of 2024, Pioneer Fire Department provided emergency services to our Village and three surrounding townships – Madison, Amboy, and Bridgewater.” Frisbie abstained, while the rest agreed.
-“With the cost of emergency services rising rapidly in March of 2024, the Village of Pioneer sought a 15% increase per year for five years with all townships. All three townships did not reply or rejected this increase.” West disagreed, while the rest agreed.
-“In July of 2024, the village council reduced the increase to 10% for one year. All three townships did not reply or rejected this increase.” Frisbie and West disagreed, while the rest agreed. The motion for clarification passed 4-2.
-“In January of 2025, the village council proposed an increase of 10% per year for five years, along with a 3 month extension to their expired contracts. All three townships did not reply or rejected this increase.” Frisbie abstained, West disagreed, while the rest agreed. The motion passed 4-2.
-“After receiving no township revenues, Pioneer wants to continue service as if we had a contract and have Pioneer taxpayers subsidize all expenses associated with serving the townships until June 1, 2026.”
Frisbie and Nickloy disagreed, while the rest agreed. Pioneer will continue to act as the primary service, passing the motion 4-2.
-“Until June 1, 2026, Pioneer wants Pioneer residents to subsidize the minimal cost of housing a Williams County EMS unit in Pioneer. We acknowledge upfront, because of personnel shortages, this unit will only be in service minimal hours of the week.” Unanimously agreed.
-“After over 20 years of outstanding service, Pioneer wants to cancel Pioneer’s First Responder service. This will save minimal taxpayer dollars but force Pioneer residents to depend totally on Williams County operated services.”
Frisbie and Nickloy disagreed, while the rest agreed. The motion passed 4-2.
-“Having determined the level of service to the townships in previous motions (service to continue as normal), Pioneer does NOT want Pioneer residents to subsidize this service but instead wants to invoice for each event to the respective townships.”
Ben Fiser, West, Gendron, and Frisbie disagreed, making the motion fail. The residents will continue to subsidize the cost for the townships, and the townships will not be invoiced.
-“Pioneer wants Pioneer residents to subsidize this service to the townships by placing on the May, 2026 ballot a five-mill permanent levy. Taxing each Pioneer household between $150 to $800 annually.” Nickloy and A. Fiser disagreed, while the rest agreed, passing the motion 4-2.
-“We are 100% in favor of borrowing the funds required to finish the solar field and produce approximately 10 million kWh of electricity annually for our citizens. We understand we will be sacrificing approximately 35 acres of farmland rent.” Unanimously agreed.
-“Pioneer and North Central have had low taxes and low utility rates because of industrial growth created by pro-growth policies of the government. Pioneer wants to continue this success record and fully support all opportunities for economic growth.” Unanimously agreed.
All motions for clarifications passed except the request to invoice townships for respective fire department calls and care.
The following ordinances and resolutions were approved after a suspension of the rules:
-Ordinance 27-2025: amending appropriations for 2025.
-Ordinance 28-2025: authorizing and directing the Village Administrator to enter into a purchase agreement for the purchase of real property of the Sooz Building.
-Resolution 110-2025: authorizing the Village Administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement program.
This applies to the estimated $2.3 million streetworks project of South Elm Street, some of Church Street, and all of Maple Street.
-Resolution 111-2025: pursuant to Ohio Revised Code, adopting a statement indicating what services the Village of Pioneer will provide to the territory proposed to be annexed from Madison Township, consisting of 107.628 acres.
-Resolution 112-2025: creating the “electric capital projects fund – PACE loan” for receiving and disbursing funds received from RUS PACE A120 Loan for the construction of the solar project and related electric systems improvements.
The council then moved into executive session to discuss personnel and Ordinance 29-2025 at 9:15 p.m. They returned to open session at 9:28 p.m.
Ordinance 26-2025, which amends and resets wages for 2025, was suspended and approved. Ordinance 29-2025, which approves the re-plat of lots 29 and 30 of the Big Ten Addition First Extension, accepts the right-of-way dedication, and accepts the public street and utilities located therein, was additionally passed.
The Pioneer Council adjourned at 9:34 p.m. with no further business.