By: Daniel Cooley
The Stryker Village Council met in regular session on Monday, July 19th, 2021. The July village council meeting began with a prayer from Gary Stuckey. Army veteran Chuck McColl then led all those present at the meeting, with the pledge of allegiance.
The roll call followed, with all six council members, Kim Feehan, Sean Ingram, Lee Armstrong, Dave Benner, Sam Farmer, and Vicki Cameron present.
In the first order of business, police chief Steve Schlosser called Jordan Williams to the front of the room for a special presentation. “It’s time for him to be promoted from senior patrolman to sergeant,” Schlosser said. Schlosser then presented Williams with his new credentials.
Chief Schlosser also gave a report on his department. He started with the fact that he expects Tyler Gorsuch to be put on full-time, with a regular shift within the next two weeks.
In other police business, within the past month, there were 10 traffic warnings, 56 calls for service, three citations issued, and two arrests made.
Next, the Palmer family came to the meeting to discuss a problem with their property on 611 Maple Street. Several months ago, the Palmers’ vacant house had suffered water damage. Their temporary living quarters, a shed, is also on the property.
“We’re kind of stuck, we want (the damaged house) out, too,” Mrs. Palmer said. “Can we board it up, can we get it down? Our concern is, (legally), what do you want us to do?” The possibility of an extension to figure out what to do, was also discussed.
Mayor Joey Beck then replied. “I will talk with (council members), get with the village administrator and make a decision before the end of this month,” Beck said. “We want to make sure we’re doing the right thing, for others (with similar problems in the village) as well.”
Beck also thanked the Palmers for coming in. “I know this can be a really touchy subject,” Beck said.
In June, Stryker resident Martin Cherry met with the council and brought forward a special request. According to last month’s minutes, Cherry’s youngest daughter is allergic to cow’s milk and dairy and to substitute with something else is expensive.
Thus, although he lives within the Stryker village limits, Cherry wanted to have some goats. Further, he said that having them would not affect his neighbors.
Council member Sam Farmer met with the judicial committee earlier in the day on July 19, to discuss the matter. Farmer came to the meeting with a report. “We feel there is no reason to change the ordinance,” Farmer said.
A motion to approve and second the previous minutes was then brought forward. The motion was approved unanimously. That was followed by a motion to approve and second the financial report from July 16. This motion was also approved unanimously.
Fiscal officer Beth Rediger gave a report on the village’s finances, a $49,000 month in the red.
“The sewer pump bill just came in, along with a sidewalk bill and drainage work on Horton Street,” Rediger said. “But we should make this up with our property taxes.”
Concerning the COVID ARP grant application, the village filed for a grant online. This could include water, sewer and broadband, with the results known within 30 days.
There was also a concern over a water main repair on Johnson Road, but it was felt that a $120,000 grant would take care of the problem.
Ingram then discussed the status of the village’s Heritage Day. That will take place on August 21, at Springfield Township Park. A parade and food are a couple of the amenities that will take place. “We will have to have a meeting to hammer everything out,” Ingram said. “{In particular), we need to coordinate with the rotary and high school.”
Farmer then discussed his meeting with the judiciary committee. That was followed by a report from village administrator Alan Riegsecker. He was contacted by the Williams County Port Authority.
They were reportedly looking for money for infrastructure. Reigsecker sent them information on a development lot, with engineering plans on 15 acre lots.
Riegsecker reported that an inspection on the village’s water tower was also conducted. He doesn’t expect the repair cost to be substantial.
“An update and cost are coming, but it doesn’t look to be in that bad of shape,” Riegsecker said.
Cameron was asked to report on the progress of looking into a dog park for the village. She said that currently, three different locations have been tossed out there. Riegsecker suggested to also look into Springfield Township Park.
Village solicitor Katie Rakes, a visitor to the meeting, made a quick comment. “I’m proud of this village,” Rakes said. In summary, Rakes added that despite all the problems and things that have to be dealt with, the village does a good job of handling things.
With no other business to discuss, adjournment of the meeting was brought forward and then seconded. A unanimous vote closed the meeting.
Daniel can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
