By: Bill O’Connell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
In a significant move aimed at dealing with chronic disputes and points of contention with their affiliated townships, the Village of Delta Council unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance #16-20 that petitions the Fulton County Commissioners to change the townships’ property lines to exclude all property within the Village of Delta. The proposed legislation, prepared by Village Law Director Kevin Heban, is pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 503.07, Conformity of Boundries, and is part of a collaborated effort with the communities of Archbold and Swanton that was agreed upon during a May 31 meeting.
“The mayors, the administrators and a member of each council were present and participated in the dialogue to develop the consensus that really started this,” explained Village Administrator Brad Peebles. Mr. Heban’s verbiage will be used by Archbold and Swanton but they will be creating their own ordinances and filing separate petitions. A Public Statement listing the reasons for the petition was distributed.
In other news Council approved a resolution to allow Mr. Peebles to enter into an agreement with Dixon Engineering for the evaluation and specification review for repairs of the Helvetia water tower. The water tower was spot coated in 2010 and Dixon, based on information contained in previous inspection reports, is recommending a complete blasting and a full coat of paint this time with an estimated life-span between 12 and 15 years. Cost estimates for the project are between $75,000 and $80,000 with $100,000 already budgeted by the Village. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing the Village to complete the project as soon as possible.
An emergency resolution was passed to authorize Mr. Peebles to enter into an agreement with the law firm of Bricker and Eckler to finalize the bond financing preparation of the Combined Sewer Overflow Project. The Village is facing a potential $10,000 per day fine from the EPA is the project is not started on time.
Another emergency resolution was approved to allow the Village to purchase road salt through the cooperative purchase efforts of the Fulton County Engineers Office.
Last year’s price was approximately $48.00 per ton.
In a sign of the times, Mr. Peebles updated the council on a casualty and liability insurance policy increase of $2760, of which approximately $2000 coming as a result of increased coverage against cyber-attacks. Previous cyber coverage was $250,000 of exposure with a $25,000 deductible. “Because cyber-attacks have become so popular and expensive the Ohio Plan has recommended to all agencies, at a minimum, we have a $1,000,000 exposure with a $10,000 deductible,” said Mr. Peebles who, after outlining what was at risk, encouraged the council to agree to the recommendation.
Council also approved the closing of Panther Pride Drive beginning on Friday July 8 through Sunday July 10 to accommodate Delta’s Annual Chicken Festival.
Earlier in the meeting Mayor Dan Miller passed out copies of a letter he received from U.S. Representative Robert Latta inviting him to join a panel discussion on Monday, June 27 at the University of Findlay “to examine the increased heroin and opioid abuse that is occurring across Northwest and West Central Ohio and solutions to end this epidemic.” Mayor Miller indicated he and Police Chief Nathan Hartstock would be attending the forum which will include members of law enforcement, medical experts, community advocates and recovering individuals.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 PM with the next meeting scheduled for 6/20/16 at 7:00 PM.
Bill O’Connell may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com