FIRE CERTIFICATIONS … (From Left) Assistant Chief Bob Adkins recognizes Lieutenant Matt Fortney, Zara McNalley and Joshua Elliot for recent certifications.
(PHOTOS BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
POLICE PROMOTION … From Left) Freshly minted Patrol Sergeant Kelly Kunesh, Chief Ken Jacob, and Captain Matt Krill.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Several individuals were recognized at the Edgerton Village Council meeting on June 4. Called to order promptly at 5:30 p.m., Mayor Bob Day led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a brief prayer of guidance.
Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht then took roll call with members Jason Gruver, Leslie VanAusdale, Pan Wampler, Chuck Wallace, and Lance Bowsher present.
Absent was Sharon Blinzler. Also attending were Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles, Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht, Fire Chief Scott Blue, Assistant Fire Chief Bob Adkins, Police Chief Ken Jacob, Captain Matt Krill, Officer Christian Stork, Officer Kelly Kunesh, and family as well as several community members.
Following the roll call, minutes from the previous meeting held on May 21 were approved, with Gruver making the motion.
Mayor Day followed with the Mayor’s Report where he highlighted several recent events within the village. First was the Memorial Day parade, a tradition in Edgerton seeing many clubs and organizations participate. Day said,
“It’s a simple but very powerful tradition in our community.” A special thanks went out to the Boy Scouts and American Legion members who worked together to place flags in the cemetery prior to the ceremony.
A special highlight for Day was the annual Mayor for a Day essay contest winners. Two fifth-grade winners were chosen, Ethan Cape from St. Mary’s School and Juliette Wright from Edgerton Local and spent the day with the Mayor on Monday.
The winners were able to meet several village employees, tour the facility, and even enjoy lunch at Rockets.
The administrator’s report followed. Fitzcharles started with updates on the current ODOT project taking place within the village. For the following two mornings, Thursday and Friday, from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. crews would be working on milling in the downtown area.
The next stage of paving would be scheduled in the same way, in the morning hours. The project is expected to be substantially completed by June 16.
Work on State Route 49 will continue with the southbound bridge closed from June 5 to June 9. When asked, Fitzcharles confirmed work on the bridge north of town would start in August.
Fitzcharles closed her report with an update on the Miller Park Community Building project. Bids will be accepted starting June 12 with the current shelter house expected to be demolished on June 30.
Next on the agenda was Denise Knecht with the Fiscal Report. Knecht kept it brief with only two items to report.
The first motion requested was to pay the bills and all financials were provided to the council via email. Bowsher made the motion to approve and all members voted yes.
A second motion was to change the pay date for village employees. The upcoming holiday on June 19, Juneteenth, would interfere with the normal pay date of Thursday.
The request was made to move the pay date back one day to Wednesday, June 18. The motion was made by VanAusdale, seconded by Wampler, and approved by all.
The police report followed, presented by Chief Jacob. The first item was the reclassification of a current officer. Officer Christian Stork is to be moved from part-time to full-time. VanAusdale made the motion to approve which was seconded by Gruver and approved by all.
The next item was a promotion for Officer Kelly Kunesh to patrol sergeant. Jacob explained he had observed attributes such as leadership abilities, flexibility with changing schedules, field training officers, and taking on more administrative responsibilities.
Kunesh has been with the department for almost a year and a half. After the motion was made by Gruver and approved by all members, Kunesh was brought to the front to receive his new badge.
Kunesh was then joined by his family as the council and attendees clapped in congratulations.
Following the police report, the fire department took center stage to recognize some recently completed certifications.
Zara McNalley and Josh Elliot both earned Volunteer Firefighter certifications through the State of Ohio for completing a 36+ hour training course. Lt. Matt Fortney earned a Firefighter 2 certification through the State of Ohio for completing 240-hour Firefighter 1 and 2 courses.
Day emphasized not only the need for first responders and firefighters but also the appreciation from the council and the community.
Chief Blue was next to address the council. Blue detailed events that led to the recent grant received by the fire department. In January the fire department began upgrading rope rescue equipment and training.
That led to having the Florence Township Fire Department evaluate and give an awareness level on grain rescue. Historically Florence has been the main partner for grain rescue because they have the required equipment.
When implementing rope rescue in the field during an ice rescue, it was realized the department was short on rope rescue supplies.
The department was able to purchase the rope rescue equipment due to two capital projects coming in under budget.
The plan was then to purchase grain rescue equipment the following year to alleviate gaps in Edgerton’s grain rescue capabilities.
Blue explained during a conversation at the local coffee shop it was suggested to contact Edon Farmer’s Co-op who could potentially help with some funding. After contacting, Blue was able to draft a grant application for submission. Edon Co-op partners with vendors for this type of grant.
Edon Farmer’s Co-Op and its partner CHS Inc. were able to provide the Fire Department with $8,300.00 to purchase equipment, $4,150 for each.
With this funding, the department was able to make up the difference and purchase a grain rescue tube, drill-powered auger, and eight rescue harnesses which will be split between Edgerton and Florence Township.
Florence Township will provide the old harnesses as a training tool. VanAusdale thanked Blue for his foresight and proactive approach to training.
Fitzcharles provided the CRA Committee update which had met on May 19. The application for a duplex to be constructed at 303 and 307 Sacher Street was approved for 100% abatement for five years.
Business then moved to summer intern positions and Casey Everetts, a graduating senior, was approved as a part-time administrative assistant intern at $13 per hour.
The recommendation received approval following a motion by VanAusdale and a second by Bowsher.
Additionally, incoming seniors Parker Elden and Caden Sinclair were approved as part-time general labor interns. They will earn $13 per hour and will be tasked with projects for the parks and street departments, including painting and power washing. Bowsher moved to approve their appointments, with VanAusdale seconding the motion.
The final items on the agenda were four resolutions. Knecht started by naming and reading Resolution 2025-008 which is a resolution that provides for the advancement of $20,278 to be moved from the General Fund to the Natureworks Fund and also provides for the repayment of the advancement.
Fitzcharles elaborated on the grant that was applied for from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which works as a reimbursement grant. The funds will be transferred from the General Fund and then repaid upon receipt of the grant funds, once the reimbursement application is filed.
Council previously approved the application for the grant. Gruver made the motion to approve, seconded by Wampler, and approved by all.
Resolution 2025-009 to proceed with the election on the question of a renewal tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the Village of Edgerton fire levy was addressed. This is just one step in a multi-step process, explained Fitzcharles.
The resolution would submit the fire levy to the electors to be placed on the ballot for the November 4 election. Previous steps included the approval on May 7 declaring the resolution as a necessity and on May 16 receiving the certification from the county auditor.
It stated that this levy will generate $52,251. VanAusdale put the motion to the floor, which was seconded by Wallace and approved by all.
The third resolution on the agenda was 2025-010, a resolution designating the Hicksville bank as a public depository. This renewal would run from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030, with a max of 10 million dollars.
The village has worked with Hicksville Bank since 2016 and is one of many the village partners with. Wallace asked for clarification as the address was listed in Defiance County.
Denise Knecht replied, stating she asked the same question and was advised that the main branch is in Defiance County, but they would be working with a representative at the Edgerton Branch.
With no further questions, a motion was made by Wallace, seconded by Gruver, and approved by all members.
The fourth and final resolution 2025-011 was a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.
Denise Knecht explained that this is an annual resolution regarding real estate taxes and what was expected to be received. Gruver made the motion to approve and VanAusdale seconded. All members passed the resolution.
With no council discussion, the meeting moved into executive session at 6:04 p.m. to discuss the compensation of a public employee. No action was expected to follow.