(PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
RESPONSIBLE DISPOSAL … Swanton Area Community Coalition Director Mackenzi Roytek holds several prescription drug disposal bags she distributed to members of the Swanton Village Council during their meeting Monday. According to Roytek, a drug takeback day held by SACC recently in conjunction with the police department collected more than 20 pounds of pills alone, among other medications and equipment.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
After the failure of attempts to get the current owner to complete repairs and the collapse of its roof, the Swanton Village Council authorized the use of eminent domain to try to obtain the former Elks building at 116/118 North Main Street.
Village Administrator Shannon Shulters said many communications have been sent to the owner, who lives out of state, over the past several years. She has been able to confirm he received at least some of them, but that he has failed to respond.
“[The building] is failing and it’s either gonna fall on us one way or the other, so we might as well try to get it, get grant money to help offset the cost, and then not be left with the dry cleaner situation where there’s liens on the property,” Shulters said.
She said if something happens to the building while the current owner still owns the property, the village will have to clean it up and then assess taxes which won’t get paid.
“We’re trying to jump over that hurdle now,” she said.
The council passed an ordinance authorizing the action unanimously on an emergency basis, so no further votes will be required. According to the ordinance, it states the intent is to use the property for public parking or green space for a park.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Neil Toeppe read a proclamation declaring May of 2025 as National Lupus Awareness Month. He read a second proclamation declaring May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 11 through 17 as National Police Week.
The council approved on first reading a resolution authorizing the purchase of 300 tons of road salt as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation road salt contract for the 2025-2026 winter season.
The council approved on second reading ordinances setting leaf collection fees at $15 per property owner and street lighting fees at $32 per property owner. Neither fee changed from 2024.
The council voted to accept the resignation of full-time firefighter/advanced EMT Eric Leonard effective May 18. According to Toeppe, Leonard is moving to the Whitehouse department.
Swanton Area Community Coalition Director Mackenzi Roytek reported that her organization, in partnership with the Swanton Police Department, held a drug takeback day during which they collected more than 20 pounds of pills alone, in addition to powders and liquids as well as hypodermic needles.
Shulters reported that the railroad tracks on Main Street will be closed for one to two days in June, and that similar closures would happen outside of the village at the railroad crossings on County Road 2-2 and County Road 4.
Shulters reported the Swanton Fire and Rescue Division now has nine paramedics, with two more staffers in school to obtain their licensure and a further three starting in the fall, compared to only having two or three several years ago.
Shulters reported the village is pursuing quotes to repair the sewer and road in a spot near Benfield Wines and the railroad, where a failing sewer line with several large holes is threatening to eventually create a sinkhole in Main Street.
Annual hydrant flushing will take place the week of May 11 through 17.
A leaking hydrant on State Route 64 reportedly released roughly two million gallons of water before being repaired.
Shulters said she is going to begin posting the departmental reports delivered at council meetings online in an effort to provide more opportunities for residents to see details of what is going on in the village.
The next regular meeting of the Swanton Village Council will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, at 219 Chestnut Street.