WALZ PARK The inclusive play equipment installed at Walz Park had its opening day on April 16 2024
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Edon Village Council met on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 7 p.m. Present were members Brian Shaffer, Dan Ankney, Lee Lawrence, Austin Thiel, and David Loughborough.
Alongside them were Village Solicitor Tom Thompson, Mayor Duane Thiel, Village Administrator Chad Ordway, and Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell.
The minutes from the last meeting were then approved, as were the bills and financials as presented. Fiscal Officer Bidwell shared that the next meeting will be May 20th, and that large trash day is on April 27th.
Mayor Thiel then shared the details of the Williams County 200th celebration, detailing the schedule sent to municipal leaders.
The opening ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., with Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade, Representative Jim Hoops, and Governor DeWine being among the scheduled speakers. On April 20th, selfie bingo take place throughout the county, with the first 500 people to complete the route eligible for a gift basket sponsored by local businesses.
On April 21st, the closing ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., with the Historical Society Museum open and ice cream available.
Police Chief Tom Szymczak shared that he has facilitated news of the parking change that is to take place on Bunny Lane, with the changes being discussed at the last Safety Committee meeting.
A CPR and AED demonstration was had at the senior center, and a less lethal course was completed over the weekend.
Councilor Loughborough added that he had reason to later enter into executive session, and councilor Lawrence shared that the new playsets have been painted, with everything being dry by the 16th.
Despite communication errors, the work at Walz Park has been coming along nicely. Councilor Loughborough shared the recent work that has been taking place at the cemetery, with plans to widen a back road in place. Work has continued to be done on the drainage issue as well.
The Summit Street walk path has gotten approved, with the deed work expected to be presented at the next meeting.
An ODOT grant has been received to replace all signage across town, with it being shared that plans are in place for mowing municipal grounds.
Councilor Ankney asked where the village was at with an aggressive dog, with the chief sharing that a resident whose dog was killed by the aggressive dog has asked about the status as well.
It was shared that the Dog Warden was on vacation last week with his return yielding that the dog has had more complaints filed by other people.
There is said to be insurance on the dog, but the warden has been unable to contact the aggressive dog’s owner to prove the validity of the insurance policy.
It has been shared that the aggressive dog has been seen off leash in the neighborhood and at the old school, with the chief sharing that they have very specific ordinances in place outlining what an aggressive dog is.
With this dog having killed one and injured another dog, the chief is wondering if this case should continue to be the sole responsibility of the Dog Warden.
“I don’t want to upset the court, and I don’t want to upset the Dog Warden,” the chief shared, “I want to figure out what direction we want to go.”
He detailed that he could issue additional citations for the violation of village ordinances, but that he would wait until further discussion with solicitor Thompson.
Ordinance 01-2024, which updated the codified ordinances to establish no parking areas on Bunny Lane, was passed after a suspension of the rules.
Councilor Lawrence asked as to the particulars on the streets on page 4, with the chief sharing that it provides for the proper posting of prohibited parking areas.
Ordinance 02-2024 updated the codes on “weeds, plant growth, and tall grass,” after a suspension of the rules.
Councilor Lee Lawrence asked as to the fee for village handling of properties in violation of these codes, with Solicitor Thompson sharing that they will be billed $100 an hour for provided maintenance.
It was recommended that the village use multiple methods to publish news of this update. Discussion was held on the SRO contract for the school, with it being shared that a formal contract is still being written up.
It was shared that Bryan City Schools has two SROs that are funded by the city, and one that is covered by the Bryan City Police Department.
Councilor Shaffer shared that current word is that Edon residents would not be opposed to having an SRO, “as long as they don’t have to pay for it.”
It was shared that Edon has many needs for an SRO, as they would help diffuse fights, prevent student vaping, and provide a healthy role model who can help impact the trajectory of the students’ lives positively.
A motion was made at 7:36 p.m. for the Edon Village Council to enter into executive session, set to meet next May 20th at 7 p.m., at their annual meeting with the township trustees.
