Village landlords are being asked to attend a meeting at a local church in the hopes they will form an organization.
Word of the meeting was given by Pastor Dave Tilley at the Montpelier Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Nov. 11. The meeting will be at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 7 p.m., Dec. 8.
Tilly, who emphasized he was only the messenger, said it was the hope of the local ministerial group the landlords would form an organization. Other than that, the goals and constitution of the group is up to the participants, he said.
The chamber board thought such a meeting made sense.
In other news:
Montpelier Village Manager Kevin Brooks informed the chamber the issues associated with the transition to ARS for garbage and recycling continue to diminish. The latest issue involved Republic picking up garbage from some of its employees as a perk.
This led to confusion and consternation among other residents and an agreement was reached with Republic.
“Things are going a lot better,” Brooks said.
Construction will begin on a new cell tower downtown as soon as a crew arrives, Brooks said. All the permits have been approved, he said.
The village has submitted paperwork on several properties to the Land Bank for possible demolition. The village has received permission to do some legwork on the properties to see if the blighted homes qualify.
One home on Main Street that burned in a fire is the village’s top objective.
The rules of the Land Bank program require the properties be owned by the village, adjoining landowners or donated to Habitat for Humanity. The village could hold a property in trust for a couple of years for HFH, but does not want to be put in a position of holding it for 5-7 years, Brooks said.
“The property can’t be sold,” Brooks said.
The Land Bank must acquire and demolish 20 blighted homes next year to retain funding from the state, County Treasurer Vickie Grimm said Nov. 7.
Regardless, if residents see activity around the Main Street property, it will send the message the village is serious about cleaning up residential properties and in collecting taxes.
Kevin Motter talked about activity of the Williams County Economic Development Corp. (WEDCO) in the last few weeks. Separate events took school teachers and guidance counselors to local factories to show the educators the modern factory relies on technology more and more and is not a 19th-century sweatshop, he said.
Northwest State Community College host a manufacturing day that brought 300 high school students together with 30 companies to put a spotlight on a career in manufacturing, Motter said.
Local companies are having a hard time getting help since many applicants are failing their drug tests, Motter said.
Montpelier Library Director Connie Cunningham talked about events at the library for Olde Tyme Holiday Gathering Nov. 19. The village-wide event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. downtown.
At the library, there will be a cookie decorating and craft party from 10 a.m. to noon. Open to kids up to age 12, cookies are 3 for $2.
There is no registration and only three cookies per child. Icing, decorations, sugar cookies and plates will be provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. The library will provide a free craft.
Other highlights include a Crafts and Gift show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montpelier School Auditeria. Enter from the north and south side of the building. A book fair sale is open in the school library.
The main event is the Olde Tyme Holiday Parade downtown at 6 p.m., featuring lighted tractors, lighted horse-drawn carriages and other lighted vehicles.
The Empire Street Mini Mall opens following the parade. There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, kids can meet Santa, food vendors and a live Nativity.
The Polar Express Experience at the House of Prayer begins at 5:15, 6:45 and 7:15 p.m.
The library has introduced electronic library resource cards for students at Montpelier Schools in grades 5-12 to use with their Chromebooks. Other libraries when hearing about it urged Cunningham to apply for recognition, she said.
The library has undergone a reshuffling and it has increased traffic and circulation, Cunningham said.
The financial impact of the library on the community is for every $1 put into it, $5.40 is returned to the community. This equals a bonanza for local businesses when the library has free events, she said.
Evergreen Manor will host a Designer Purse Bingo Fundraiser Feb. 25 to raise money for the manor’s activity fund and Relay for Life.
Linda Earlier said the event will give area women a chance to win designer purses. Tickets are $35 each or $280 for a table of eight.
Attendees must be 18 or older.
Tickets include one set of three cards for all 20 games, one Bingo Dauber, appetizers, and two drink tokens.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Montpelier Eagles Post, 2246 N. Jonesville, Montpelier. Bingo begins at 7 p.m.
To purchase a ticket, call Earle of Marci Tomblin at 419-485-8307 or 419-553-0800.
James Pruitt may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com