(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
VETERAN MEMORIAL FLAGS … Locally made military banners will be displayed on the downtown light posts from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
A regular Village Council meeting was held at the Montpelier Police Department on April 14 at 6:00 p.m. All members were present, including Jason Rockey (Village Manager), Robert Bohmer (Law Director), and Molly Collert (Clerk of Council).
Council President Heather Freese introduced the agenda for the meeting, as well as the financial report. Each was passed without contest, including the minutes from last month’s meeting.
Paul Ledger, a local resident, presented concerns about regulations involving E-Bikes and E-Scooters. He noted that he has seen many young teenagers and adults riding them throughout town, on the sidewalks, and interrupting traffic on the roadways.
He asked the council to look into safety regulations needed to enforce this new electric transportation. “I want safety for the E-Bike riders and the residents,” Ledger said.
Rockey moved on to recognize the Montpelier Electric Department for recently receiving the APPA safety and reliability award.
The American Public Power Association (APPA) honored Montpelier AMP services for their hard work and dedication during the recent storm damage clean-up.
This national recognition commends the workers for all that they did to restore power to the people of Montpelier. 13 village-owned electrical poles were damaged in the storm.
He also thanked ODOT for its continued support and for lending its facility during the village’s time of need. The village’s electric department had extensive damage to its roof, which was estimated to cost around $200,000 for repairs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
“I’d like to thank the following communities for helping us out during that time: Bowling Green, Napoleon, who were on site for three days, I believe. BMU, Bryan Municipal Utilities, worked pretty much the whole week. Also helping out were Deshler, Edgerton, and Coldwater, Michigan,” Rockey added.
Next up was a presentation from the Veterans Center, given by Kelly Herzog, Director of the Chamber. She presented an example of locally-made military banners to be displayed on the downtown light posts.
Residents who wish to dedicate a banner can do so by submitting a form at the Chamber office, the library, or the Veterans Center.
The cost is $100 per banner. Herzog hopes to see the banners up by Memorial Day, and they will remain on display until Veterans Day in September. The council submitted a motion to accept the donation of the banners, and plans on putting this plan into action as soon as possible.
Fire Chief Brian Fritsch gave his annual report of the Montpelier Fire Department. He mentioned that there is an open enrollment, and implores anyone interested in joining the department to stop by and sign up.
Alternatively, those interested could also fill out a form on makemeafirefighter.com that would link them directly to the village. Fritsch also reminded locals that there is currently a burn ban in the State of Ohio, and only clean wood is to be burned through the months of April and May.
The following items were also approved:
-The Active Transportation Plan, which, according to Council Member Chris Kannel, “The goal is to improve opportunities for our residents, and making connections between parks and resources. Our second goal is to increase economic development for our citizens.”
-Donations from the Friends of the Park ($14,500.02) and a mower donated by Joe Shepard to be used on the trails.
-Resolution 1422 Public Safety Income Tax Levy.
-Resolution 1427 Create New Fund (for the light emergency fund, to avoid incidents like what recently happened with the storm damage).
-Resolution 1428 Amended Appropriations.
-Resolution 1429 Advance Funds.
-Resolution 1430 Transfer Funds from Light Fund to Emergency Light Fund.
-Resolution 1431 2025-2026 Salt Contact.
-Village employee Justin Houk was granted 15.5 hours of comp time for lineman work performed following storm damage during the week of March 20, 2025.
The comp time compensates Houk for taking on responsibilities outside his regular job description during the village’s time of need.
At 7:29 p.m., the Montpelier Village Council moved to executive session for confidential business of an applicant for economic development assistance or purchase of property.