PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
EDGERTON ACTIVITIES … Jeff Lyon (front) and Danielle Tanner (back), representing Mainstreet Edgerton, addressed Edgerton Village Council reviewing its activities and upcoming projects at the council meeting on Wednesday, January 22.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Village Council heard a presentation from Mainstreet Edgerton regarding its upcoming activities during its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 21.
Council members in attendance were Pam Wampler, Brian Bowsher, Sharon Blinzler, Leslie Van Ausdale, Jason Gruver, and Chuck Wallace.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of minutes from the January 7 meeting, Jeff Lyon and Danielle Tanner, representing Mainstreet Edgerton, addressed the council about its activities within the village.
Lyon told the council the focus of Mainstreet Edgerton was to bring some energy back to the events they have done throughout town and to draw local people to local merchants.
One of the events they had brought back last year was the truck pulls with sixty pullers taking part.
“We’re looking forward to that happening again this year with a bigger crowd,” said Lyon. “We have added a couple more categories in the truck pulls and added antique tractors.”
Lyon mentioned the Clem Awards had added two more categories, Educator of the Year and Public Servant of the Year. There will be five different Clem Awards to be presented in 2026.
Mainstreet Edgerton will also hold its village garage sales again this year, along with the Edgerton Homecoming.
The theme for this year’s homecoming is “I Love America,” where they will also honor local veterans. “I give you all of that information because I want you to understand what our success means here,” said Lyon.
“It’s not the success of Mainstreet Edgerton because businesses benefit; the downtown activity increases, and I believe the community’s pride grows.
“People are proud of some of the things we do. I think the village benefits that more connectedness that we have when those events happen.”
He then added, “I think we’ve proven there is some momentum behind what we’re doing. We got another strong year ahead. I think a partnership with the village makes that even stronger.”
Lyon also presented a proposal to the council regarding a community project for Miller Park with the construction of a Veterans Memorial and pavilion. He added that it’s a single integrated project. It will be funded by private donations, donated labor and materials. The total cost of the project is between $50,000 and $80,000.
With a timeline already set, beginning with fundraising this year, Lyon said that Mainstreet Edgerton is looking at final and site approvals, hopefully by this summer.
Construction could start as early as this fall, depending on funding. He added that dedication could take place either in the spring or summer of 2027.
“Miller Park hosts a lot of our largest gatherings already,” said Lyon. “With the community’s investment and this idea and with the village’s investment in the community center, I really think Miller Park is going to continue to just grow as kind of the focus of where things happen in Edgerton.”
Mayor Bob Day commented that there are some things already in the works as far as the Veterans Memorial, which the village has already looked at.
“We can figure out how to work together on something like that and make it happen,” said Day. Lyon then asked the council for permission to proceed and, at least, to continue to work on this project.
“My suggestion as far as the pavilion goes, that is something we will definitely consider,” said Day. “The other part is we just need to talk.”
Council made a motion to approve a $2,500 Platinum Investor membership with Mainstreet Edgerton. The motion passed by a 6-0 vote.
Village administrator Dawn Fitzcharles reported that the Williams County EMA Mitigation Plan has been received. The resolution will be voted upon at the February 4 meeting.
She also mentioned that a Planning Commission meeting will be held on January 28. This will involve a property located on East Lynn Street.
An executive session was held to discuss employment and compensation of public employees. No action was taken. The next council meeting will be on Wednesday, February 4, at 5:30 p.m.
RECORDS COMMISSION MEETING HELD
Before the regular council meeting, the Edgerton Records Commission met for its bi-yearly meeting.
The commission approved to submit records to the Ohio State Historical Society for the destruction of 2018 records.