(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
FUTURE PROJECTS … Miller Park will see a new community building in the future as the council approved a preliminary motion for demolition.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Village Council meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on April 8th. Mayor Bob Day led all attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and then followed with a short prayer. Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht then took roll call.
All members were in attendance including Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver, Pam Wampler, Sharon Blinzler, Chuck Wallace, and Lance Bowsher. In addition, Mayor Bob Day, Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles, Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht, Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht and Police Chief Ken Jacob were also in attendance.
After roll call, a motion was made by Gruver to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, held on March 19th. VanAusdale seconded with the motion being passed by all members.
Business moved swiftly along to the Arbor Day proclamation, presented by Mayor Day. Day pointed out several key items from the proclamation.
Started in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton when he proposed the idea to the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture of a holiday celebrating trees and their importance. Over 1 million trees were planted on that day in 1872.
Edgerton received the recognition of a Tree City USA and continues to uphold the tree planting practices. Day encouraged citizens to celebrate Arbor Day, support efforts to protect trees, and plant trees.
On April 25th, a special ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. including musical performances from both St. Marys students and Edgerton Local school students. A memorial tree will be dedicated in honor of Levi Hess, an Edgerton student who tragically passed.
The next item on the agenda was the mayor’s report, given by Day. He started off with the State of the Village report, clarifying he has been trying to get this out for several meetings.
Starting off with highlights from 2024 including four blocks being repaved within the village, moving electric supply underground, and upgrades to the town hall and ball fields.
Looking into 2025 and further, Day compared 2024 to “the calm before the storm of progress coming in the next 24 months.”
Funding is secured for numerous improvements. One major road work project to take place within the village is the repaving of State Route 6 and State Route 49.
Also coming will be five miles of sidewalks including a sidewalk leading to Miller Park, crossing at North Michigan Avenue and River Street for students, as well as a new crossing in the downtown business district.
Miller Park will also see the construction of a new community building. The disc golf course has baskets ready and concrete tee pads poured. Four holes are currently being developed through the wooded property.
Day stated the most notable accomplishment for him in 2024 was the team’s response to multiple hardships, such as multiple departments being understaffed. Several departments willing stepped up to fill the void.
The second item in the mayor’s report was a recent award from WEDCO announcing Edgerton as the Community of the Year for 2024.
Day stated, “It’s a great accomplishment for the community, not only are we doing things for our residents, but we’re being also acknowledged from outside of our community.”
Administrator Fitzcharles waived the administrator report, as she would be speaking a lot later on in the meeting and handed the floor over to Denise Knecht to present the fiscal report.
Knecht focused on her report on interest earnings and how the village has been able to improve community funds through smart investment strategies.
Starting in 2024, the village was able to take advantage of a CDARS investment, making $32,000. Knecht also provided several other figures to the board, including the increases year to year on investment earnings.
She also explained the investment strategy, investing approximately 75% and keeping 25% liquid. The liquid funds also earn interest but not as high a percentage as other investment accounts.
Through these strategies and continued certification that Knecht receives through the Ohio Treasurer’s Office, the investment earnings have increased significantly year after year. From 2023 to 2024 there was an increase from $37,000 to $183,378.
In 2025 alone, almost $75,000 has been made through investment opportunities. She also listed the current CDs and CDARS account percentages.
While the market can affect this, both Fitzcharles and Day highlighted the hard work and dedication of Knecht to be able to increase revenue for the village.
Finishing the fiscal report, Knecht requested a motion to pay the monthly bills, which was made by VanAusdale and seconded by Blinzler. The motion was approved by all members.
Before moving into the police report, Fitzcharles took the opportunity to recognize the police department for two recent achievements.
Starting with the police department being one of thirteen agencies to receive their final certification from the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency.
The agency was formed in 2015, and the Edgerton Police Department went through the initial certification 3-4 years ago. There are 667 certified agencies across Ohio, representing over 29,000 officers.
The second recognition was for excellence in policy management and training, from Lexipol. This is the second year in a row being recognized. This is a program subscription for the department with multiple resources to help them more effectively perform their job.
Police Chief Jacob started off by highlighting some upcoming training the department was able to attend for free. Officers attended active shooter response for a week receiving certifications and one is currently in basic swat school with the Bryan Police Department.
Next he informed council that firearm and rifle requalification’s would be taking place on Saturday. Junk vehicle notices were starting to be delivered to residents.
The final item for the police department was informing the council of their involvement in the county wide mock crash for juniors and seniors taking place the next day, Wednesday April 9th, at the Williams County Fairgrounds.
Fitzcharles followed with a report from the recent tree commission meeting. A list of trees in poor condition have been approved to be taken down.
Also, in honor of Arbor Day and Earth Day, during Food Truck Monday on April 21st, 150 seedlings will be available for free to residents. Tree types are Norway Spruce, White Pine, Black Maple, Oak, and White Flowering Dogwood.
Fitzcharles then continued onto the resolution, motions, and ordinances section of the agenda. First item was a requested motion to accept the resignation of Jerry Brown, a part-time police officer.
Fitzcharles stated that Brown was leaving due to other time commitments and thanked the village and department for the opportunity. The motion was made by VanAusdale, seconded by Wampler, and approved by all.
Next item was a motion to approve the side letter for the Ohio Department of Development Edgerton Brownfield project with Edgerton Acquisition LLC.
Fitzcharles provided to the council a brief summary of events leading up to this, including in 2022 when the real estate gift was accepted and 2023 when the grant agreement was executed.
This is essentially saying that the 25% match requirement of $408,930.96 will be returned to the village and it is agreed the funds will be restricted to be used specifically for this project. The motion was made by Gruver and seconded by VanAusdale. All members approved.
Following was a related motion to approve the First Amendment to Brownfield Remediation Program Grant Agreement with Ohio Department of Development. Initially the grant term required all funds to be spent by June 30th 2025.
After entering the agreement, it was established with all the entities involved that it may be necessary to apply for an extension or negotiate an agreement. The Ohio EPA will also require some longer term testing. All of the goals are being met but this will ensure they continue to be.
The Ohio Department of Development has decided to prepay the grant. After this resolution is signed and the village has shown they expended the 25% match requirement, the remaining grant funds will be transferred to the village and all future invoices will be paid from those funds with the village reporting back to the Department of Development.
The agreement will be carried out directly with the director of the Department of Development. Bowsher put the motion to the floor, and Blinzler seconded. The motion was approved by all members.
The next motion was to approve a commitment and voluntary participation agreement for Miller Park Shelter House demolition with Maumee Valley Planning Organization.
The funding has been approved at the state level and Maumee Valley requires the agreement before moving forward with demolition.
Fitzcharles clarified that the contractor question should be directed to Maumee Valley Planning Organization in Defiance as they will be handling the demolition and have a public bidding and prequalification process. The motion was made by Wampler and seconded by Wallace, approved by all.
The final motion on the agenda was to approve changes to Village of Edgerton Personnel Policy and Procedural Manual.
Additions included HSA regulations, council approved holidays, and vacation maximum policy. All revisions had been previously discussed at the last rules committee meeting. The motion was passed by all members.
The last item before council discussion and adjournment was Resolution 2025-005. A resolution authorizing participation in the ODOT road salt contracts awarded in 2025.
The amount has historically been the same at 110 tons. The village would agree to buy a minimum 90% but not exceed 110% of this contract.
The resolution requires all council members’ signatures and then will be submitted to ODOT. The motion was made by VanAusdale and seconded by Wampler, approved by all.
Last topic on the agenda was council discussion. Wallace continued discussion from the past meeting pertaining to unkept properties around town.
He suggested signs, observed being used in other communities, placed to indicate why the property is being sited.
It was stated that Defiance does this currently. Wallace indicated how it could be frustrating for residents if they put a lot of time into upkeep and the neighboring property does not.
While noting the observations and frustrations, Mayor Day stated that a soft approach is often the best way to start and then escalate as needed.
With no other council discussion, VanAusdale made the motion to adjourn seconded by Wampler. The meeting adjourned at 6:00pm.