PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COMMUNICATION … Village Administrator Aaron Alt (left) and Mayor Brad Grime discussed with residents in the audience additional communication options for individuals who do not use social media or traditional newspapers.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, November 17, the Archbold Village Council convened for its second regular meeting of the month with councilors Karla Ball, Aaron Babcock, Kevin Eicher, Vaughn Bentz, and Gary Dominique at the table while council member Chad Kern was absent.
Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt, and Clerk Cassie Storrer were on hand, rounding out the village’s administrative team.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer, the council approved minutes from its November 3 regular meeting and authorized the payment of bills and payroll in the amount of $632,349.50.
Mayor Grime welcomed guests seated in the audience area, including resident Kevin Baez and Pat Terpening.
Returning to the November 3 discussion about strengthening communication between the council and the public, Baez noted that when he tried to access the calendar on the village website, he received an error message.
Believing that website information was current, Alt checked immediately and found that upcoming events had been updated on the website calendar. Baez said that perhaps his inability to see the updated calendar was a browser issue on his end.
Alt acknowledged the need for a website overhaul and added that the webcam feature was not currently working.
He further noted that the new water and wastewater ordinances have been posted to the website, and they are exploring ways to provide quicker access to public notices.
On another topic, resident Pat Terpening took a moment to address the council and raised the question of whether the town has, in the past, discussed acquiring a leaf vacuum to help residents manage the significant volume of leaves in the fall.
Mayor Grime responded that the notion has been brought up “hundreds of times” over the years. Councilor Eicher added that it never moved forward, primarily due to the high cost of the equipment and the short time it would be used each year.
Terpening asked whether the village had considered renting the equipment instead of purchasing it. Eicher said that option had never been brought up, but next year the Street and Sidewalk Committee can sit down with the Street Department Superintendent, Jason Martz, to discuss the possibility.
Shifting back to the communication discussion initiated by Baez earlier in the meeting, Terpening offered her perspective on a potential solution.
Since not all residents receive a newspaper or see social media, she suggested that the village create a one-page newsletter summarizing council news to be mailed to residents along with monthly water bills.
Administrator Alt explained that the village is working to move away from sending paper bills due to the high cost of leasing postage and folding equipment, which totals around $18,000 per year. He added that he has considered charging a fee for mailed bills to encourage the switch to electronic delivery.
Alt mentioned that radio spots featuring council meeting information could be broadcast on the local radio station.
Baez suggested a compromise by printing a limited number of single-page calendars with council notes and keeping a small supply in the water billing office for residents who want to pick one up when they come to pay their bills in person.
Councilor Bentz added that he believed credit should be given to the local newspapers that do cover the meetings, and Councilor Ball echoed his sentiments, noting the articles published are “very valuable.”
Wastewater Superintendent Mike Short was also in the audience, accompanied by employee Mason Siegel. Short recognized Siegel for his recent accomplishments in the wastewater department, where he has worked since May 2024.
Siegel earned his Class I certification in August and passed his Class II exam on November 6. Although he cannot yet assume full Class II operator duties because he has been with the department for less than two years, he is able to serve as an operator in training and is already working toward his Class III.
Councilor Babcock asked Siegel about his long-term goals, to which he replied that he hopes to “progress up the ladder” within the village.
Addressing legislation, the council heard Ordinance 2025-49, which amends Ordinance No. 96-34, changing the speed limit on Short-Buehrer Road from 40 mph to 35 mph from South Defiance Street to the west corporation limit. This change aligns with the installation of a new sidewalk and will improve golf cart safety.
The speed limit on East Lutz Road will also be reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph between North Defiance Street to East Garden Apartments.
The change is intended to improve safety ahead of the construction of the new Peacefield Subdivision, accommodate the anticipated increase in foot traffic, and enhance safety for golf carts.
It was noted by Alt that, according to the state, since these speed limits were established some time ago without proper “journaling,” the change is allowed without further study.
Lowering speed limits on some of the other streets will require a costly speed study approved by ODOT. The change will take effect immediately.
Following a unanimous vote to suspend the rules, Councilor Ball moved to approve the ordinance, with Eicher seconding. The legislation was then unanimously approved by all members.
Moving on, the council heard Resolution 2025-50 authorizing the village administrator and finance director to advertise for bids for the State Route 2 waterline, Contract 1-2026.
The stretch of waterline has been prone to breaks over the last 15 years, which causes disruptions to customers outside of Archbold, particularly those in Elmira and Burlington.
The total project cost is estimated at $500,000 and includes adding new valves to allow for shut-off capabilities, ensuring continued service to Elmira and Burlington even if a section of the line fails.
Alt pointed out that the investment is funded by the Archbold income tax dollars. “So, when we look at these higher ready-to-serve (charges) that we’re implementing, the two-time rates, the 50% surcharge.
“Doing this project is going to greatly enhance the reliability of the Elmira-Burlington waterline,” Alt noted.
Following a unanimous vote to suspend the rules, Councilor Dominique moved to approve the resolution, with Babcock seconding. The legislation was then unanimously approved by all members.
Ordinance 2025-51, amending the 2025 appropriations budget, was heard next. This type of ordnance is generally a year-end housekeeping item and is required to close out the year correctly. “We do it every year, but this one was way more complicated,” Alt explained.
Many adjustments were needed largely due to FY 23 and FY 24 state audit requirements, including police fund reallocation and various unexpected donations and expenses. The adjustments, which are normally contained in a single page, required a whole section this year.
Following a unanimous vote to suspend the rules, Councilor Babcock moved to approve the ordinance, with Ball seconding. The legislation was then unanimously approved by all members.
In another housekeeping matter, council heard Resolution 2025-52, which accepts amounts and rates as determined by the Fulton County Budget Commission and authorizes the necessary tax levies, certifying them to the county auditor.
“We do this every year. We don’t challenge what these numbers are; we accept the valuation. So you’ll see here there’s an inside millage and an outside millage.
“And, the outside millage is anything above that 10 mill limit, which is what that levy – the voter-approved levy is, and that’s the – $401,054 is what it’s estimated to bring in. That’s a critical component for the general fund,” Alt clarified.
“And then in addition to the inside millage that municipalities are allowed to levy, and this is what I believe that’s not part of the actual voter approved. It’s just what you’re allowed to levy. This is the other portion of that.”
Council went on to discuss future levy options as well as ways to communicate to residents where village revenue comes from, exactly what services those funds go to, and how that money is expended.
Following a unanimous vote to suspend the rules, Councilor Ball moved to approve the resolution, with Dominique seconding. The legislation was then unanimously approved by all members.
The only departmental report before the council for review was the Police Calls for Service, October 2025, which was accepted without further discussion.
Before wrapping up the meeting, Administrator Alt shared that the village was awarded a $1 million federal grant, which will help with the installation of upcoming water, sanitary, and storm projects on Lugbill Road.
He added that the funds can be used to start connecting Burke and Schlatter roads as well.
Councilor Dominique inquired about the status of the Memorial Park monument repairs and whether or not they would be finished by Memorial Day. Alt responded that staff are lining up the details and he has sketches that he can share with the council.
On another topic, Dominique shared that he’s been approached numerous times about food trucks set up in the village.
He raised concern about the $100 annual fee charged by the village for a food truck permit and asked if it is fair to restaurants that maintain a brick-and-mortar store in the village.
Dominique added that he’d like to see more discussion at upcoming meetings on the topic. Alt confirmed that the Zoning and Planning Director Grant Schaffner will be reviewing fees, including the one assessed to food trucks, after the first of the year.
The next Archbold Village Council meeting is set for Monday, December 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chamber in the municipal building.