By: Lucinda Held-Faulhaber
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Edon Village Council approved the third and final reading of two ordinances during its monthly regular session held Monday, October 19, 2015 in Council Chambers.
Mayor Darlene Burkhardt called the evening meeting to order with Councilors Roxana Nester, Lee Lawrence, Duane Thiel, Dick Chapin, Chuck Bidwell, Gale Horn, Village Administrator Randy Mahlman, Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell and Solicitor Tom Thompson in attendance.
Initially introduced in August, Ordinance 07-15: Repealing existing Section 925.01 of the Codified Ordinances and enacting codified ordinance Section 925.01 setting forth user rates for the Village Sanitary Sewer System and Ordinance 08-15: Repealing Sections 921.02 and 921.03 and enacting codified ordinance Sections 921.02 and 921.03 ~ setting forth rates for the Village Water System will adjust sewer and water flat rates to meet present and future financial responsibilities.
With a portion of the sanitary sewer system’s long term debt set to expire, Council found a reduction in existing rates would continue to provide sufficient revenue to offset the facility’s current annual operational and maintenance expenses. They also determined the current water rate structure did not generate adequate income to meet all of its outstanding obligations while providing for maintenance and improvement needs of the system.
The Village’s new user structure will not increase monthly rates; it only reassigns fourteen dollars from the flat sewer fee to the water portion of the billing. Each ordinance takes effect January 1, 2016.
In other business addressed that evening, Council:
•Heard Administrator Mahlman’s monthly report noting Issue One grant funding for a new Water Treatment Plant is 99.9 percent approved (a final decision will be made at year’s end on the Village’s $325,000 request); contacts have been made with OWDA (Ohio Water Development Authority) to finance the water plant’s remaining costs; hydrants were flushed and color-coded for PSI flow; most dura patch spots were completed; dwellings within the Village that have water are required to be hooked up to the Village’s sanitary system per Williams County Health Department (the Village can compel water hook-ups) and a six-inch iron water main break on Derbyshire Drive was repaired. Also shared were scheduled plans to read and install meters; continue locating individual water service valves and winterizing the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Walz Park.
•Approved Administrator Mahlman’s request to install an additional garage door at the street barn to utilize space; estimated cost is approximately twenty-eight hundred dollars.
•Learned there are no current plans for 2016 seasonal employment with the Park Department.
•Tabled further discussion in connection with having a Park Committee versus a Park Board to oversee upkeep, etc.
•Was informed repaving Parkway Street is anticipated next year; project costs will be looked into.
•Heard Police Chief Tom Szymczak’s detailed Department Service Log and Vehicle Report for September 2015. Additionally, he noted a part-time position remained open; escorts were provided for Edon High School’s annual Homecoming game and “Snake Dance” and an A.L.I.C.E. Drill, as required by the State, was conducted for Edon Northwest Local Schools.
•Was informed by Councilor Nester that landscaping at Edon Union Cemetery Veterans Memorial had been completed; the flagpole will be repainted and monument moved to its new location next spring. A formal dedication is being planned for Memorial Day 2016 by Edon American Legion Post #662.
•Noted Trick-or-Treat would be observed in the Village from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31; Trunk or Treat will take place from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Edon Church of Christ as well.
•Accepted the Minutes, Financial Report and bills as presented.
The next monthly regular meeting of Edon Village Council will be held Monday, November 16, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Village Chambers.
Lucinda Held-Faulhaber
May be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
