By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Montpelier Village Council approved the appointment of Heather Freese, who will continue to maintain her council seat for another two-year term beginning on January 1, 2026, and commencing on December 31, 2027, at its council meeting on Monday, December 15.
Despite finding errors on Freese’s petition, in which the Williams County Board of Elections had denied Freese running in November’s election, the seat was then vacated as the village had conducted a search for a replacement.
Following a brief executive session, the council voted 5-0 to appoint Freese to the position. She was left out of the discussion and the vote.
Council heard a request from the American Legion Post 209 regarding the property located on 220 Empire Street, and the motion was approved.
Village Manager Jason Rockey referred the request to the Williams County Land Revitalization Corporation, known as the Land Bank, once demolition is complete.
Rockey discussed a draft letter requesting support for the Ohio Department of Transportation regarding improvements needed on Platt Street.
Council member Chris Kannel commented that village administration and council have for over the last several years, talked about improvements that are needed, specifically for traffic, but most importantly pedestrian access on Platt Street.
“We keep running into dead ends, either cost-wise or who we talk to about that, or it’s not our jurisdiction, or all of these things,” said Kannel. “The economic development committee had tossed around a couple of ideas.
“What we’re asking, is for council to approve a letter that Mr. (Jason) Rockey would send to Mr. (Patrick) McColley, who is our regional administrator for ODOT, formally requesting ODOT’s help in coming up with some solutions for traffic congestion, turning radius, pedestrian access along Platt Street, and improvements and long-term maintenance of the street.”
Council approved amending appropriations for 2025, adding $14,000, which covered the village’s health insurance policy that had already started on December 1. The change will cover the costs for the month of December.
Rockey also mentioned that a couple of staff members from American Municipal Power will be coming to Montpelier on Thursday, December 18, to go over the village’s yearly power supply report.
The village saw a decrease in the November income tax collection, which totaled $73,157.62. It also resulted in a decrease of 3.44 percent, down from November 2024.
In other action, the council approved the following:
-Approved a one-year fire contract with Superior Township for 2026.
-Approved the 2026 Electric Utility Cash Reserve Policy.
-Approved the third and final police pension fund transfer of the year.
Council also went into executive session to discuss matters to be kept confidential, with no action taken.