GREAT ADDITION … Edgerton Police Chief Gary Plotts, on the right, and Sgt. Justin Coffman, posed before the June 21, 2022 Village Council meeting with the two newest modes of transportation added to their fleet. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Police Chief Gary Plotts and Sgt. Justin Coffman happily parked two new Police Bikes in the front of the room at Edgerton Village Council on June 21, 2022.
Plotts shared with council how pleased he was with the initiative that Coffman took to acquire this gas free mode of transportation. Sheriff Tom Kochert donated the bicycles as part of the clean out of items not being used in the Sheriff’s Department, after he took office.
Coffman knew about the possibility and took them up on it on behalf of the Edgerton PD. Since the bikes were received, they have had a great overhaul making them look brand new even though they are 20 years old.
Plotts said they look forward to the ability to be more involved in the community as they will be used for street patrol and participation in local events, as well as the great benefit of saving on the price of gas.
Village Administrator, Dawn Fitzcharles, introduced new Village employee, Trinity Nichols. Trinity is working as an intern in Records retention and other aspects in the office.
Also, there for the meeting were a few Boys Scouts and a Scoutmaster, from Edgerton Troop 29, working on their “Citizenship in the Community” badge.
Joanne “Joey” Boston was present as a representative of Efficiency Smart, a company that has helped individuals, small businesses and large businesses, as well as the Village, to save money when making choices to become more energy efficient, as an objective third party.
They offer rebates, discounts on products, free advice on lowering electric bill, and much more for anyone interested. Fitzcharles said that Efficiency Smart has helped the village with four different project and Mayor Bob Day shared how they helped his small local business with an efficiency upgrade.
“I cut my electric use in half and recouped what it cost me to upgrade, in 18 months,” he said. Efficiency Smart, which is tailored to each community and business, works with Edgerton Village Market so that customers can purchase low cost (99 cents each) energy efficient light bulbs right in the community.
Other products can be purchased online. Anyone interested in more information can speak with Joey at jboston@efficencysmart.org or 614-468-4900.
Fitzcharles gave a lengthy presentation on Solar Power, explaining the way it would help the village’s energy portfolio.
The resolution, later passed by council, basically says that the village is interested, but reserves the right to withdraw if it is not right for the community. She updated council on the water tower saying that they will begin painting on August 8th and it will be complete by October.
A Pre-construction meeting is scheduled for the Oak Street project, which will begin mid-July and be substantially completed before school starts.
In regular business, council voted to approve:
-Minutes from June 9, 2022 meeting
-Ordinance 1104 Providing for a supplement to the 2022 Annual Appropriations (to pay for Bullet proof vests, which will be reimbursed by a grant; cost is $25,655 and grant will cover $19,241.25)
-Resolution 2022-013 Accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor
-Resolution 014 Approve the form and Authorize the Execution of the 2022 Solar Energy Schedule with American Municipal Power, Inc. and taking of other actions in connection therewith regarding Solar Generated energy purchases (Village Administrator, Dawn Fitzcharles, clarified that there would be additional conversation before any final decisions are made.)
-Ordinance 1105 Amending Chapter 376 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Edgerton, Ohio pertaining to Low-speed, Under-speed, or Utility vehicles or Mini-trucks (Attorney Chris Walker explained that the change is in listing all these types of vehicles, which includes Golf Carts; all legal requirements still apply.)
-Payment of bills as requested by Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht
-Fiscal officer’s report
Police Chief Plotts informed council in his report that the new Bike Patrol Program will be introduced during this summer of 2022 and will provide the Edgerton PD with “the capability to allow officers to have more interaction with community members.
Officers volunteering to participate in the program will receive additional training on specific bike related techniques, as well as unique opportunities to enhance community safety.”
The program is being implemented with minimal cost thanks to the partnership of WCSO, Life Changing Church, Dietsch Signs and others.
Also, in his report he recommended that council keep the ordinances about the use of fireworks in the village the same as before the senate made it legal for certain days.
It was stated in the release that it was legal unless otherwise designated by individual communities, so Plotts feels that Edgerton should leave well enough alone for the sake of safety. Council agreed.
He asked for permission to sell the Tactical Unit which is not being used by his department. Council passed a motion to approve his request, with the proceeds to go toward the purchase of a Police Golf Cart.
Council went into Executive Session at 8:16 p.m. to discuss possible acquisition of property.
Coming out at 9:14 they took action in passing Resolution 015 “A resolution of the Village of Edgerton, Ohio, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Edgerton Acquisition, LLC pertaining to a gift of Real Estate to the Village of Edgerton and to apply for a grant under the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program pertaining to such real estate.”
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com
