PROCLAMATION … Northwest Ohio District Director for Senator JD Vance Timothy Schneider came into Pioneer’s May 21st council meeting to present them with a proclamation in honor of the village’s 175 years of existence.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Pioneer Village Council met on May 21st at 7 p.m. Present were members Trever West, Will Cable, Randy Cochran, Ben Fiser, Joseph Nickloy, and Dean Frisbee, alongside Mayor Ed Kidston, solicitor Tom Thompson, Village Administrator Anthony Burnett, and Fiscal Officer Gina Gruber.
They then approved the agenda as amended, adding an executive session to the meeting. They also approved the minutes of their last meeting, the current financial report, the bills, and a HDWR invoice for $683.75.
It was then shared that the Pioneer Police Department will continue to see statistics rise as they take an active stance on code ordinance enforcement.
The fire department will have a benefit breakfast from 7-11 a.m. on June 8th, with June 7th seeing a 5 p.m. line-up for the 6 p.m. parade. Tyler Williams was then nominated for Assistant Fire Chief for a probationary period.
A proclamation was then read in honor of Pioneer’s 175th year, with District Director Timothy Schneider from Senator J.D. Vance’s Northwest Ohio District, listing off some of the village’s achievements.
Administrator Burnett then congratulated Mayor Kidston on his recent award, and he also shared that the Clark Street substation project’s final numbers are in, bringing a close to an almost 2-year long project.
This accounted for Ordinance 15-2024’s appropriations. Ordinance 16-2024 approved the bid of Bryan Excavating, LLC, for Cedar and Dearborn streets, as well as gave Administrator Burnett permission to sign the documents necessary. Grant funding is still being waited on before the contracts are finalized.
The digger truck has been received and everything is running smoothly, with employees embracing the learning curve that comes with the size of the machine.
Resolution 108-2024 approved the village’s participation in this year’s ODOT road salt contract. The volleyball court was added to the park again, and Burnett asked council their opinions on a pickleball court.
A sponsor has generously shared that they would donate the cement necessary for a pickleball court, with the largest cost remaining being the fence.
Mayor Kidston shared that there have been some comments on the batting cages, with it being decided to continue conversation about those topics at the June meeting.
Details regarding Memorial Day services were then discussed before July 5th was named as a holiday this year for an extended holiday weekend, where village offices will be closed.
Mayor Kidston shared that the final information for the solar fields has been submitted, with more requests for information being sent in. He shared that “for all intents and purposes, it’s (the project is) moving along.”
It was discussed how a substation is needed for the North Industrial Park, with the project being estimated to cost nearly $6 million. When all is said and done, the village should see the addition of a $17 million asset.
Fiscal Officer Gruber shared that the Garden Club has planted flowers, and the Girl Scouts have signed up to water them.
An AMP training course for a village employee was discussed before Nickloy mentioned extending the village’s decreased speed-limit going in and out of the village.
Mayor Kidston shared that the state decides what happens on State Route 15, but that a request can be made to extend the lower speed limits.
Frisbee shared that plaques on the village sign are not accurate, with modifications expected to be made shortly.
He then shared that a resident asked why the services for mowing weren’t advertised, with the mayor reminding him that Al Fiser agreed to continue mowing as a part-time employee upon his retirement.
West then shared that his team, halfway through their season, have yet to get jerseys, as they have apparently been lost in the mail.
He asked if there was a way to waive fees for their jerseys next year, as a lot of parents and sponsors are concerned about it.
It was agreed that compensation should be looked into before it was shared that state funding is being waited on before Maumee Valley Planning announces which projects will receive funding.
June 18th will see a 9 a.m. Coffee with the Commissioners session at the Senior Center, and Mayor Kidston shared that a walk path along the river is being conceptualized.
The trail would be accessible through the school parking lot, and the plans were presented to council for their review and consideration.
Natureworks funding was discussed, with it being shared that the village has partnered with the program four times previously.
Gruber shared the budget updates that facilitated the necessity of quarterly appropriations, which were presented to council.
The Pioneer Village Council then voted to enter into executive session at 8 p.m., set to meet next June 18, 2024.