PHOTO BY INDIA KENNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
UPCOMING TRAINING … Edon Police Chief Tom Szymczak answers the council’s questions on training to be held on Webster Street.
By: India Kenner
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
india@thevillagereporter.com
The Edon Village Council met for its regular meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., with all council members present.
Attending were Dave Loughborough, Jeff Pease, Aimee Bell, Lee Lawrence, Dan Ankney, Brian Shaffer, Village Administrator Chad Ordway, Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell, Mayor Duane Thiel and Police Chief Tom Szymczak. Several community members were also in attendance.
Council approved the minutes from the previous meeting, as well as the financial report and payment of bills.
Motions were made by Dan Ankney and seconded by Brian Shaffer for the meeting minutes, while Ankney made the motion to approve the financial report and payment of bills, seconded by Jeff Pease.
Police Chief Tom Szymczak reported that officers recently completed Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) training at Edon Local Schools.
TECC is an evidence-based trauma care program designed for civilian first responders, including police, fire and EMS personnel, who may respond to active shooter incidents and other high-threat or mass-casualty situations.
The training is adapted from the military’s Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines.
Szymczak also announced that the department, along with the SRT team and fire department, will conduct additional training at a residence on Webster Street on July 23.
He added that the liquor permit for Edon Days has been approved and that additional personnel will be sought to assist with traffic control during the event.
During committee reports, Jeff Pease, speaking on behalf of the Safety Committee, discussed the possibility of creating additional parking at the park.
Council approved a motion, made by Lee Lawrence and seconded by Pease, to remove sod and develop additional parking spaces.
Council also discussed concerns raised by Dave Loughborough regarding children operating e-bikes and scooters on village sidewalks. Loughborough noted that several businesses have doors that open directly onto the sidewalk, creating a safety hazard for both pedestrians and riders.
Council reviewed current ordinances and agreed to consult Solicitor Tom Thompson and neighboring communities to determine how similar concerns are being addressed.
The Park, Cemetery, Finance and Zoning committees had no additional reports.
Village Administrator Chad Ordway reported that road grinding on State Route 34 is scheduled to begin Aug. 1. He emphasized that the work is not expected to interfere with Edon Days, which will take place Aug. 7-8.
In new business, council approved Ordinance 08-26 revising the village’s water rates and Ordinance 09-26 revising sewer flat rates.
Members also approved Resolution 05-26, accepting the tax amounts and rates as determined by the Williams County Budget Commission for the 2027 tax year after first suspending the rules.
Council then approved Resolution 06-26, declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation for the Edon Union Cemetery.
Loughborough explained that the resolution is important because the village and township jointly oversee cemetery operations.
He noted that while the cemetery levy has historically been renewed at the same millage rate, recent changes in Ohio law eliminated what was previously known as a “replacement levy.”
As a result, the levy must now be presented as an “additional levy,” even though it is intended to replace the existing levy when it expires.
Loughborough emphasized that residents will not be taxed for both levies at the same time.
He added that additional funding is needed to maintain the cemetery, including mowing and trimming the grounds, maintaining trees, keeping roadways clear, and repairing and reseeding gravesites.
He noted that current maintenance costs have required the cemetery to draw from its reserve funds.
With no further business to come before council, the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. following a motion by Lee Lawrence, seconded by Jeff Pease.
