PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GAC WATER TREATMENT … The Archbold Water Department will replace hardened granular activated carbon (GAC) in four treatment vessels following council approval of an emergency contract with EnviroServe. The project is intended to maintain water quality and treatment efficiency.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, Aug. 3, the Archbold Village Council met for its first regular meeting of the month with council members Karla Ball, Chad Kern, Aaron Babcock, Mike Evans and Gary Dominique present while Councilor Kevin Eicher was absent. Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt and Clerk Cassie Storrer were also on hand.
Looking at legislation, the council reviewed Resolution 2026-26 to authorize a contract with EnviroServe for water plant carbon extraction.
Administrator Alt explained that the Water Department uses carbon in its nine vessels during the pretreatment process. Used carbon is then sent off for refiring and mixed with 20 percent new carbon before being reused.
“At some point, it (the blended refired carbon) doesn’t do its job effectively,” Alt said.
Recently, because the water pH levels were not ideal, it became necessary to add liquid chlorine, which caused the carbon to solidify in at least two of the nine granular activated carbon (GAC) vessels.
The contract allows for EnviroServe to remove the hardened carbon from the affected treatment vessels and to replace the material with 100 percent virgin carbon.
The village administrator noted that while utilizing all virgin carbon will result in a 10 percent increase in cost per vessel, it is necessary to ensure water quality and to prevent similar issues in the future.
“The cost savings isn’t worth these sorts of issues,” Alt added. Since all vessels are not used simultaneously, carbon will be replaced in four of the vessels at a cost of over $200,000 this year, and the remaining vessels will be addressed at a later time.
Speaking on the GAC process, Alt shared, “This has definitely gotten us in compliance with the TTHMs that they were testing the levels out in, Henry County and so on and so forth.
But again, this process wouldn’t even be needed if we were only serving Archbold. So it just further justifies why rates have to be extended for those beyond the municipal borders.”
The council voted to declare an emergency and approve the resolution.
DATA CENTER MORATORIUM AND ZONING DISCUSSION
In new business, Administrator Alt provided an update on the zoning code amendments regulating potential data center development in the village.
He reiterated that while there is no formal application for a data center pending, the zoning department has been working with a consultant on those changes, which will soon be ready to go before the Planning Commission for review, possibly as soon as September.
Because the required public hearing and review process could extend beyond the moratorium’s Oct. 6 expiration date, Alt recommended council consider a six-month extension of the moratorium to allow time for Planning Commission and council review, as well as any revisions that may be required.
Councilor Evans weighed in, “That’s my thoughts too – just do six months, which gives us plenty of time to read through it all and make sure we go with how we want it.”
Alt emphasized, “It’s not a reason to drag feet, because the quicker we get this done, the quicker we can help other healthy development for the community, if there’s anything looming over us.
“I don’t want to pause advancement for this community because of no action. But I want to be practical and thoughtful in how we accomplish this and not do anything that’s going to jeopardize other growth.”
“I say pass six months and if we get it done sooner – hopefully get it done in two months,” Councilor Kern agreed.
The council also briefly discussed other items that may come before the Planning Commission, including regulations on chickens within the village and parking in yards.
Councilor Babcock expressed concern about the condition of the former Archbold Furniture Company property on Mechanic Street and asked if efforts have been made to reach the property owner for cleanup.
Alt advised that the owner is from New Haven, Indiana, and that the zoning department has been trying to make a connection.
PARKS AND PICKLEBALL COURTS
During the mayor and council comments portion of the meeting, Councilor Gary Dominique noted that a village resident had reached out to him to address a few inquiries regarding parks, the pickleball courts and the role of the village administrator.
“These three questions came from the same person, so I’ll just go down the list,” Dominique explained.
According to Dominique, the resident was concerned about rumors that the village might close its smaller parks due to a shortage of maintenance personnel to keep up with the facilities.
Dispelling these rumors, Alt responded, “No, we’re not closing any (parks), but, you know, we’re obviously not making substantial enhancements.”
The resident also questioned Dominique about the pickleball courts closing early recently and asked if the decision stemmed from an issue at the park.
Alt confirmed that it was his understanding that due to a group of students displaying disruptive behavior on previous occasions, a group of individuals was asked to leave the courts at 10 p.m. the week prior.
Noting that midnight “is pretty late,” Alt said that the village is considering the adjustment of park hours to balance use of the courts with area concerns about noise, vandalism and after-hours activity.
Later in the meeting, Councilor Babcock pointed out specific damages that have already occurred to the courts and asked the council to consider security measures, including possibly posting a camera at the location to deter misuse of the facilities.
Councilor Evans pointed out that the village accepted donations for the construction of the pickleball courts and it’s the village’s responsibility to be good stewards of that facility.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S ROLE
Lastly, Dominique passed on the resident’s question about Alt’s responsibilities as the village administrator.
The resident reportedly expressed that many residents do not understand “who’s in charge of who,” and Dominique suggested “putting something out there,” so residents know who to contact when issues and concerns arise within the community.
Councilor Kern asked if the village had a copy of the Village Administrator’s job description for the public to review. Mayor Grime explained that the village’s codified ordinances spell out the administrator’s duties.
Councilor Karla Ball clarified, “People look at us (village council members) and assume that we’re the ones that are – though we are, you know, the decision body – we don’t manage the day-to-day stuff, and I think that people probably assume that we’re involved in a much deeper level than we are… everything rolls up through Aaron (Alt).”
“Mayor (Neil) Toeppe of Swanton has put out some information on how local governments work, especially when you don’t have a strong mayor,” Administrator Alt explained.
“And you know, a strong mayor is somebody who’s here for, you know, 40 hours a week and has that executive order responsibility. Me – I have the ability to make decisions without council approval up to (certain) dollar amounts.”
Alt explained that he oversees day-to-day village operations and serves as the link between residents, department heads and the council.
He said council establishes policy and approves budgets, while the administrator manages operations, personnel and implementation of those decisions.
“It’s a chief executive officer of a community. It’s like a superintendent of a school,” Alt added.
Dominique explained, “I totally understand that you do, way – I mean, way more than what this individual probably thought you did.”
Councilor Ball added, “Publicly underappreciated role, I think. “It’s not like the township,” Councilor Chad Kern elaborated. “The township has three people that make all the decisions.”
Councilor Evans addressed Alt, “So we’re pretty fortunate to have you.” Other council members expressed agreement with that sentiment.
FLOCK CAMERA DISCUSSION
Moving on to another topic, Mayor Grime brought up the village’s use of cameras in response to a recent Facebook post claiming the village employs the use of 11 Flock cameras.
“We only have three – and that’s all we’ve ever had is three,” the mayor stated. “We had a company that wanted to install a bunch more to see how we liked them and stuff, and then ultimately, we just declined it and said ‘it’s not for us.’”
Alt added, “I’m glad you said that, Mayor, because I was going to bring that up. AI is wrong on Google. That article is false.
“Eleven additional cameras were never installed. You and I spoke, and we directed Leo (Police Chief Leo Wixom) that we would not be continuing on with that trial that they wanted to do.”
According to Alt, the village is in its third year under contract for the cameras, and the cost is not paid by taxpayer money, but from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, which receives its dollars through forfeitures and seizures of evidence.
“But many contracts can be voided out too, so if there’s a point that council says they don’t want to do it,” Alt added.
Councilor Evans asked if the Archbold Police Department provides a report of “hits” generated from the Flock cameras, as it would be beneficial to know how the cameras are benefiting the community.
Alt explained, “They have parameters narrowed down to stolen vehicles, warrants for something, not domestic dispute-related matters.”
Alt also cited a circumstance where the cameras hit on a car with stolen plates, which ultimately made law enforcement aware of other crimes, including drug activity.
“So I mean, they do their job. It’s just a matter of, ‘does this council support them (Flock cameras) or not?’ And that’s a question that, you know, I brought up a few months ago, and there wasn’t any pushback. Do I personally support Flock? Probably not.
“But our police department wanted to use them at the time, and the council supported that.”
Councilor Kern weighed in, “I think they do their job, but what else do they do? … Everything like this starts out good, and then the evil kind of comes in and uses it in ways that it shouldn’t be used. It’s going into a database. You know every person coming into town.”
“I’m not sure what the debate is,” Councilor Babcock countered, “because as long as we have these (referring to phones/computers) in front of us, you are being checked and recorded and watched and listened to all the time.
“If we can catch – if I can catch one predator taking a child or whatever out of town, that is well worth the amount we spent.”
Mayor Grime pointed out that additional cameras may be beneficial on Barre Road, Lutz Road and Short-Buehrer Road since they are also heavily traveled streets leading into the village.
“Yeah, it’d be nice to have six, or seven or eight of them to really do their full effect, you know, for the community.
“For right now, I think we’re going to be happy with our three (cameras) and see what happens,” Grime added.
ROUTINE MATTERS AND INCOME TAX REPORT
Addressing housekeeping items, the council approved minutes from the July 20 meeting and authorized the payment of $863,874.32 in bills and payroll.
Alt pointed out that while the expense list was short, it did include two sizable payments, including a large 2024 tax return refund to the State of Ohio and an installment to S&S Directional Boring for work on the State Route 2 water line project.
Looking at the July 2026 Income Tax Report, Alt shared with council members that revenue was up 3.37 percent for the month. The council also briefly reviewed the monthly Street Department Fleet Report.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Mayor Grime opened the floor for public participation, welcoming questions and comments from those present to the council.
A village resident inquired about transportation options for older adults living independently who are no longer able to drive themselves to essential services such as grocery shopping and medical appointments.
She asked whether any local taxi or transportation services already exist that she was not aware of in the village or if additional options have ever been considered.
In response, council members noted that Uber drivers operate in the area for those who are looking for a traditional taxi-like service.
It was also recommended that she reach out to the Fulton County Senior Center, as they may provide transportation assistance for specific types of appointments.
Shifting gears to a different topic, the resident then requested an update on the reported stray cat poisonings, asking if the incidents were under investigation.
She acknowledged that the stray cat population is an issue in many neighborhoods in town.
The Archbold Village Council will reconvene for its next regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the village’s municipal building.
