MARYS WAY Ryan Colegrove Amy Mitchell Robyn Bingman John Colegrove accept a street sign named in the honor of Mary Colegrove
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Members of Fayette’s Village Council held their meeting on Wednesday, May 9th. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council first moved to approve the current agenda, as well as minutes from the previously held council meeting on April 24th, and Special Council meeting, Safety Committee Meeting, and Governmental Affairs meeting held on May 1st.
The mayor’s report followed, with a dedication being held for Mary Colegrove. A street was named in her honor, with the street now being named Mary’s Way. Mary Borer then spoke about Mary and why she was chosen.
“In memory of Mary Colegrove, we would like to name a street after her. She has been a pillar in the community of Fayette for many decades. Mary has babysat nearly everyone under the age of 40 years old at one time or another.”
“She has even cared for their kids, into the next generation. When parents picked their children up after work, Mary always asked about their day, and truly listened and offered positive support.”
“Whenever the school, boosters, or church needed a dozen cookies, you could count on her to bake three dozen. Students walking past her house on North Eagle Street always considered her home the safe place.”
“That was the gathering spot for her children’s friends to hang out, play cards, or bounce a basketball. After her and John raised their three children, Ryan, Amy, and Robyn into adulthood, they decided to switch homes with their daughter Amy.”
“John and Mary’s new home was just a hop, skip, and a jump away from North Fayette Street. It was the perfect fit. They wanted to downsize, and Amy wanted to upsize, in which to accommodate her future family with Todd.”
“Conveniently, their two homes were connected by the stoned bunny path that runs along the tree lined creek. May trips were traveled back and forth throughout the years between the two homes.”
“Appropriately, we would be honored to name that one-block road; Mary’s Way. Every time people read the street sign, they’ll think of that wonderful, spirited, kind-hearted woman we all know and love. Mary had a way of making everyone she met feel special. Now that was truly and genuinely “Mary’s Way””.
At that time, John Colegrove, Ryan Colegrove, Amy Mitchell, and Robyn Bingman were invited to come up to the front and accept a “Mary’s Way” street sign. Kind words were then stated by Amy Mitchell before the rest of the mayor’s report was delivered.
The garden club is still selling their 150th cookbooks for $15.00 a piece. Mr. Magic will be at the Opera House on May 17th with a showing at 1:00 p.m. and another at 7:00 p.m.
The Farmers Market began the week prior and is running through September. The annual Bull Thistle event will take place on August 3rd and the next CDC meeting will be held on May 13th at 6:00 p.m.
The men’s softball league will be back in Fayette this year. Graduation for Fayette High School students will take place on May 19th at 2:00 p.m. with school concluding on May 23rd.
Family Fun Day at the Fairgrounds will be held on May 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The next Fayette Board of Education meeting will be held on May 20th at 6:30 p.m. and the Annual Thistle Run will take place on May 25th at 8:00 a.m. Lastly, the Fayette Police Department will be holding a meet and greet on June 8th.
A notice about First Energy raising the prices for electricity was then discussed before moving on to hear the village administrator’s report.
An update for Phase 1 of the water project was given, along with an update regarding a water main break. The break took place on Cherry Street just west of Legion.
During a trench excavation, a boulder was discovered to have pushed into the water main line which caused a break. This caused an early dismissal from the school and was later fixed by 2:30 p.m. The administrator’s report was then approved.
A report from the village fiscal officer followed, with updates to the bill list being highlighted. Explanations and details were then given regarding upcoming agenda items. The VFO’s report was then approved before moving on to pay the bills in the amount of $72,799.95.
The police report came next, with Chief Bingham touching on an upcoming agenda item. A K9-ready vehicle was found at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle was set for sale in the amount of $20,000.00 but has been taken down to $17,000.00. With the $30,000.00 donation from BP and an additional $1,000.00 donation coming in that day, it was said that this would be a good purchase. Additional fundraising efforts will also take place in the future.
An update was then given in regard to what is expected to be the new Village of Fayette K9. The puppies are expected to be born around May 20th to May 25th. Options were also discussed regarding veterinarians. The police report was then approved before moving on to approve the following Ordinances.
The First Reading of Ordinance 2024-05 for supplemental appropriations. The Third Reading of Ordinance 2024-03 to increase revenues.
Ordinance 2024-03 was first taken off the table and was amended to include the new K9 donations and a supplemental OWDA Loan. The following legislative actions were approved next.
A motion to allow the library to use the shelter house on Mondays and Wednesdays in June and July from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays July 11th and 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A motion to approve the event permit for the Summer Music Fest on June 28th, 2024. A motion to purchase a K9-ready police vehicle from the Knox County Commissioners for $17,000.00.
A motion to renew the depository agreement with Sherwood and instruct Administrator Stambaugh and VFO Sauerlender to sign the agreement. A motion to hire Jessica Swander at $2,115.38 bi-weekly, effective June 24th, 2024, with 41 hours of vacation granted upon hire and 80 hours annually beginning January 1st, 2025. With no other items left to attend to, the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
