(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
DEBATE UNFOLDS … Chief Szymczak outlines his concerns to the Edon Village Council, as members engage in a spirited debate over the planned location of the waterball tournament.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Edon Village Council held its regular monthly meeting on July 21 at 7:00 p.m., but what began as a routine session quickly escalated into a debate over event planning and village ordinances.
Mayor Duane Thiel called the meeting to order, starting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call taken by Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell, confirming all members were in attendance: Dave Loughborough, Dan Ankney, Austin Thiel, Lee Lawrence, Jeff Pease, and Brian Shaffer. Also attending were Village Administrator Chad Ordway and Police Chief Tom Szymczak.
The first item, approval of the minutes from the prior meeting, passed swiftly with a motion from Ankney and a second from Thiel, receiving unanimous approval.
There were no general communications to report, except for the announcement of the next meeting scheduled for August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Chief Szymczak initiated his report by raising a significant issue regarding the location of the upcoming waterball tournament during Edon Days, currently slated to take place in front of the village hall.
Chief Szymczak informed the council that no permit had been filed for this location, referencing Ordinance 311.02 and providing copies for the board’s review.
Chief Szymczak vocalized strong concerns about shutting down a main route through town for a large portion of the day, which would necessitate rerouting traffic.
He pointed out that the detour would direct vehicles through several business areas holding special events for Edon Days, including the library, the Dairy Treat, and the community food pantry.
He articulated several other significant concerns, encompassing safety, parking challenges, police officer availability, and overall traffic and pedestrian congestion.
Chief Szymczak suggested relocating the waterball tournament to Railroad Street, arguing it would be an easier road to close with a lessened effect on general traffic.
While conceding that the current location likely offered better drainage, he affirmed the proposed alternate location would have comparable water access with a hydrant as well as space. The alternate location would be approximately 350 feet away.
Council member Lee Lawrence was the first to challenge the validity of the permit situation. It was confirmed that Ordinance 311.02 indeed stated the village administrator could approve such a permit, and Administrator Ordway, when questioned, confirmed he had approved the location, but no permit was spoken about.
Both Lawrence and Loughborough vehemently questioned the timeline, given its close proximity to Edon Days, with Loughborough emphasizing that planning for the event had been ongoing for months.
Chief Szymczak countered, stating he had not been communicated with regarding the front-of-hall location and was under the impression the event would be held at the Railroad Street site.
He confirmed he had spoken with both Mayor Thiel and Administrator Ordway earlier that same day.
Thiel asserted he did not want to be held liable for not obeying the ordinance and insisted that village rules should be strictly followed and enforced.
Council member Shaffer added to the discussion, expressing his opinion that closing a main road was “not a good idea.” Szymczak added that the same permit was filed for the parade and has been for years.
With neither side yielding significant ground, council member Pease suggested taking a vote to resolve the impasse. Lawrence then made a motion to ask the mayor to inform the chief to approve the permit, a motion seconded by Loughborough.
Thiel interjected one last time, reiterating the critical legal implications of the situation, asking if Solicitor Thompson would need to be involved.
Communication was questioned between the chamber, council, and police chief. As the debate continued, with accusations beginning to surface, Pease intervened, reminding the council that a formal motion was on the floor.
The motion on the floor ultimately did not pass, with Shaffer, Ankney, Thiel, and Mayor Thiel voting ‘No’, and Lawrence, Pease, and Loughborough voting ‘Yes’.
Consequently, the waterball tournament will be moved to the secondary location on Railroad Street.
The council then redirected focus back to the agenda with committee reports. Thiel, for the safety committee, had no updates but anticipated a meeting would be set up soon.
Lawrence then provided a brief update for the park committee on the recently filled open park board seat appointed by the school, also noting that another member would be leaving within 30 to 60 days.
The cemetery committee was next, with Loughborough reporting future plans to have the cemetery surveyed next year.
Finance followed, with Lawrence stating the audit went well, highlighting one minor item where tech services had to be moved from the general fund to the water fund due to the service being provided to that department. Ankney informed the council that zoning matters would be covered later in the ordinance agenda.
Ordway then presented the Village Administrator’s and Public Works reports. He informed the council that Taxease had been bought out, which would affect the Woodville property transfer.
The transfer will be to the Williams County Land Bank, and once that occurs, a motion will be filed to drop the case, as the land bank will use grant money to tear down the structure.
He reported that a recent fire hydrant flush was performed, and several main breaks have since been repaired. Staying with water-related updates, the water tower was recently drained, cleaned, and inspected.
The inner ladder will require replacement when the tower is next drained and cleaned in a few years.
Additionally, the wastewater treatment plant project was recently submitted to the EPA, which noted that some items needed to be addressed. Those items have been resubmitted as was as an additional grant application totaling $750,000.
With no old business to discuss, the agenda moved on to two ordinances in the new business section.
First was Ordinance 03-25, establishing a no-parking area within the village, specifically on Bunny Lane by fields two and three, a location discussed in the previous meeting.
Pease questioned the recent parking fees charged during a baseball tournament. Ordway clarified that the event was put on by the Summer Recreation Program, which likely collected the parking fees to reinvest back into the program.
Loughborough suggested that some sort of policy could be put into place for future events to ensure the council is informed of such occurrences.
Bidwell confirmed that the community building is the only area available for rent. Lawrence then made the motion for the first reading, and Ankney seconded. All members approved.
Ordinance 04-25 followed, concerning a zoning replat on Woodville Street involving several lots. Ordway explained that a potential buyer’s request to move a property line by approximately 10 feet, effectively halving a second lot, led to the replat of three lot areas.
Loughborough moved to suspend the rules, and Thiel seconded. Ankney made the motion to approve, seconded by Loughborough. All members approved.
Prior to adjournment, Loughborough inquired about the trash can behind the community building. Ordway agreed that while it is for public use, it has been abused and will be fenced in.
Loughborough also informed the council of recently observed speeding near the park, with Chief Szymczak noting he has been patrolling the area.
Ankney then made the motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m., with Lawrence seconding. All members approved.