The Swanton Village council held their meeting on Monday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Council first moved to approve the agenda as presented as well as the minutes from the April 11th council meeting.
Committee reports were then heard with the Public Service Committee speaking first. It was first stated that the road salt contract will be pursued.
The Swanton community Memorial Stone will be looked into more as well. The Tree Commission Ordinance may separate some duties, with some reorganization possibly taking place.
The playground is having some supply chain issues but is still moving forward.
Public Safety spoke next with council being notified that new software has been found that may streamline the process of fire inspections.
Pricing is around $7,000 with a recurring annual fee. The recommendation from the committee is to let the incoming Fire Chief look into the budget internally to see if there is room to potentially budget it for next year.
The mayor then made a proclamation for Arbor Day. In the proclamation Mayor Toeppe spoke about the benefits of urban forests in that they increase the life expectancy of streets by reducing storm water run-off and also help with heating and air conditioning costs.
He also spoke about how Arbor Day was started back in 1872 with Julius Sterling Morton petitioning the Nebraska Board of Agriculture to create a special day for the planting of trees.
“I Neil Toeppe, Mayor of the Village of Swanton, do hereby proclaim April 25th as Arbor Day in the Village of Swanton and I urge all citizens to support, protect and nurture our trees and urban forest. Not just for the beauty they provide, but for the benefits they give our residents and community,” said Mayor Toeppe.
In new business, council moved to approve the following ordinance and resolution. The First Reading of an Ordinance to proceed with the assessments for leaf collection.
The First Reading of an Ordinance to proceed with assessments for street lighting. An Emergency Resolution authorizing The Village Administrator to participate in the ODOT road salt contract for the 2022-2023 winter season.
The mayor then gave an update on the search for a new fire chief during the mayor’s report. There is a possibility to have both a chief position and a new deputy chief position.
This issue along with budget questions for that position will be discussed in executive session. The second round of ARPA funds will be released soon.
Hearings were taking place down in Columbus regarding Airbnb and possible detrimental impacts to communities.
There are also shortages of Fire, Ems and Police throughout the State of Ohio. The Ohio Municipal League is working on possible solutions.
Mayor Toeppe then addressed the issue with a report done by Channel 11 News, WTOL. He stated that he was interviewed by the station regarding the neon sign.
He explained that he told the reporter that the sign was put up in 2009 after being worked on and refurbished with private funds before being given to the village. No tax dollars were used at that point.
Tax dollars were however used in order to fix the signs neon. The report done by WTOL stated that no tax dollars were used for the project. This explanation was given in order to clear up any issues.
The Swanton Middle School was recognized during the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation’s annual dinner.
“They are the only school that has been recognized by the Economic Development Corporation as an industry leader,” said Mayor Toeppe.
Mayor Toeppe also informed council that he attended the H2Ohio Wetlands Project in the village.
In the Village Administrators report, May 14th will be the scheduled bulk drop off day. Electronic waste and paint disposal will take place as well with a fee associated with the paint disposal.
The service is offered at no cost to residents except for the paint disposal. In regard to the ordinance review, there are a couple other sections that will be looked at and reviewed.
A new recreation director will be starting in a couple months, projects 8 and 9 are continuing at a good speed, and numerous ongoing projects are still underway.
A personnel report was then given before moving to hear concerns from members of the public that are present. Tony Kruszewski voiced a concern regarding a neighboring properties sanitary system that crosses 65-feet into his property, ties into his sanitary system and goes another 60-feet to enter into the main.
Village Administrator Hoelzle stated that back in the day, it was prevalent that building sewer lines would come out of people’s homes and be connected through a Y with only one connection into the line.
Mr. Kruszewski then informed Administrator Hoelzle that, “Back in the day they didn’t make schedule 40 white pvc and that is what all this material is.”
Administrator Hoelzle then stated that if that is the case, she will have to look into it more and figure out when it was done.
With no further agenda items, council moved to enter into executive session.
Upon their return from executive session, council moved to adjourn for the evening.
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