SCOREBOARD PROJECT DONATION … Edgerton Area Foundation (EAF) board member Kelly Wilhelm (left) presents a $31,581 donation to Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles and Mayor Robert Day, who accept it on behalf of the Village of Edgerton for the Scoreboard Replacement Project. (PHOTO BY ANNA WOZNIAK, STAFF
By: Anna Wozniak
The April 4, 2023 Edgerton Village Council meeting started at 7 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance and a prayer.
Present were Council members Pam Wampler, Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver, Sharon Blinzer, and Lance Bowsher, who were later joined by Chuck Wallace.
Also present were Law Director Chris Wallace, Mayor Robert Day, Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles, Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht, Police Chief Plotts, and Police Captain Krill.
After the minutes of the March 21, 2023 meeting were approved, Mayor Day made an Arbor Day proclamation, detailing that April 28, 2023 will see an Arbor Day tree planting event. The event will commence at 10 a.m. and is in honor of Tom Kitchen.
Mayor Day then detailed that after months of negotiations, an agreement was reached between the village and the Ohio Department of Development for the Brownsfield remediation.
May 4 is national prayer day, and village clergy will take turns giving five minute prayers from 12:15 p.m.- 12:45 p.m.
Note that this is different from their traditional prayer breakfast, as it was planned to allow those who have to work in the morning to attend.
The mayor then reported that Tony Fifer invited council members to tour his facility before Denise Knecht gave the fiscal office report.
Knecht presented the financial report and bills before they were accepted in a movement made by Councilor Leslie VanAusdale and seconded by Councilor Pam Wampler.
Police Chief Plotts then informed council of an intended resignation from Matt Roesel due to health issues before Captain Krill detailed the new cell phone law that went into effect earlier that day.
Captain Krill related that this law is most impactful to those under 18, as it disallows any cell phone use while driving that is not exclusively hands-free.
Those over 18 are allowed to use their phones to talk or navigate but may not hold their cell phones in front of their faces unless at a complete stop.
Captain Krill then detailed the commitment that the Edgerton Police Department is showing with their new community interaction initiative. He related that the “main goal as an agency is to serve our community and be service leaders.”
Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles then related how their request for assistance for the water treatment project has been accepted.
Resolutions 2023-005, 2023-006, and Ordinance 1118 were all approved. 2023-005 allowed for Edgerton to participate in the O-DOT salt contract awarding program.
2023-006 established a new fund for money received from the 1 Ohio Opioid Fund. These funds were awarded through litigation and require a separate account as they have strict spending parameters.
This bridged the introduction of a future discussion topic Council must decide on whether or not to join in another settlement.
Ordinance 1118 accepted appropriations request for the $31,581 donation to the Scoreboard Project from the Edgerton Area Foundation.
Presenting the award was Edgerton Area Foundation Board member Kelly Wilhelm, with Mayor Day and Administrator Fitzcharles accepting on behalf of the Village of Edgerton.
Item 119 was left at its first reading and details the formulation of a housing council and new investment abatement.
Council then voted to move into executive session at 7:39 p.m., and officials noted that action may be taken with regards to village employee activity.
Electronic waste recycling day is April 8, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. behind Town Hall. The Planning Commission meeting is April 12 at 5 p.m.
Large trash drop-off day is scheduled for April 15, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. behind Town Hall.
The next Edgerton Village Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com
