ELECTRIC AGGREGATION OPT-OUT … Village Administrator Donna Dettling reported that village residents will soon receive Village Electric Aggregation Program opt-out letters. While residents do have the option to opt out, village officials advise against it as doing so would mean forfeiting the savings that the aggregation program provides.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, the 4th, Archbold Village Council met at its temporary chambers, the Scout Cabin in Ruihley Park for its first regular March meeting.
It was a full table with councilors Gary Dominique, Chad Kern, Kevin Eicher, Karla Ball, Vaughn Bentz, and Aaron Babcock in attendance. Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Donna Dettling, and Assistant Village Administrator Aaron Alt were also on hand to take part in the proceedings.
In the seating area for the public, German Township Trustee and former Archbold Village Council member Brad Short shared with council that the Arch Motel on State Route 66 north of the village is cleaned up following the removal of a large amount of personal property owned by Aaron Powell, who was staying at the location.
Council kicked off its short agenda by approving minutes from the February 19, 2024 meeting, bills & payroll of $314,425.27, and February 2024 financial reports.
Resolution 2024-17 approving the renewal application for an 11.511-acre tract of farmland located at County Road D and Township Road 24 in the agricultural district was adopted by council following a declaration of emergency.
Dettling noted that as a housekeeping item, council addresses Ag District renewals on a yearly basis and only one application was received in 2024.
Following a suspension of the rules and declaration of emergency, Council adopted Resolution 2024-18 accepting a bid from Salenbien Trucking & Excavating, Inc. for contract 1-2024 W. Mechanic and Pleasant Street Improvement Project. The winning bid was three and a half percent over the village engineer’s estimate.
According to Alt, as a part of the Mechanic and Pleasant Street Improvement Project, all concrete leading up to the doors of the fire department building will be replaced and the AFD may “have to set up shop across the street with an ambulance,” and those logistics are being discussed.
Alt also mentioned that there will be coordination for the closure of South Defiance Street during certain phases of the improvement project.
With no committee or board minutes on the agenda to review, council moved on to reviewing reports. The February 2024 Income Tax Receipt report showed withholdings up 7% with VA Dettling noting an improvement over last year’s number.
Also in the council’s packets were the 2023 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and a Residential Electric Aggregation update. The Annual Drinking Water CCR is now available for review on the Village of Archbold Website at https://www.archbold.com/news_detail_T28_R35.php.
It was also noted that after March 11, residents will begin to receive letters to “opt-out” of the village’s electric aggregation program.
The council discussed the electric savings offered to residents through the aggregation program. While residents have the option to opt out of the program, village officials advise against doing so.
Police department calls for service and the Street Department’s Labor and Fleet Report for February 2024 were also reviewed.
Archbold Village Council will meet for its next Regular March meeting on Monday the 18th at 5:30 p.m.