NEW CHIEF … Pictured are policeman Justin Coffman, new police chief Gary Plotts and Interim police chief Matthew Krill. Plotts was announced as the new Edgerton police chief at the Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 Edgerton Village Council meeting. (PHOTOS BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The November 2nd Edgerton Village Council meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer from Mayor Robert Day.
Roll call was then taken, with Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver, Dean Thiel, Chuck Wallace and Roger Muehlfeld, present. Tom Karnes was absent.
Mayor Day then presented a Heart Saver Hero Award to C.J. Coburn. Coburn performed CPR on a young female who had nearly drowned. The chlld is expected to make a full recovery.
Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles introduced three new village employees. Gene Wilson comes to Edgerton with 32 years experience with the Bryan Water Department, Elias Carter is part-time labor and Jeremy Wright works with the street and parks department.
The village looked to extend the current contract of interim police chief Matthew Krill through January 7, 2022. That was met with a 4-0 approval vote.
Next, Fitzcharles announced that after conducting nine phone interviews and then narrowing the field down to three, the Village of Edgerton has named a new police chief, in Gary Plotts. Plotts comes to the village with 25 years experience in police work. Plotts was met with a 3-0 approval vote, along with one abstained vote.
Also, the hiring of Yvonne Pierce to utility clerk was also met with a 3-0 approval vote, along with one abstained vote.
Fitzcharles announced that the village will have a meet and greet luncheon with ODOT on November 9, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Next, Fitzcharles stated that the county commission is considering the application of sidewalk repair on North Oak Street.
Fitzcharles also said that the village is working on a safe route to school plan and is working with ODOT on a safety improvement study.
“There are several access points that ODOT will evaluate, but the biggest area of concern is the intersection of Indiana and State Route 49,” Fitzcharles said. Next, a motion to pay the bills passed by a 4-0 vote.
Fitzcharles reported that the next council meeting will take place on November 16 at 7 p.m., along with a council budget session to start at 5:30 p.m.
There will also be a wage and compensation committee meeting on November 3rd, at 6 p.m.; a finance committee meeting on November 9th at 5 p.m.; a park board committee meeting on November 10th at 5:30 p.m. and a tree commission meeting on November 10th, at 6:30 p.m.
Next, Fitzcharles announced that the Edgerton Chamber of of Commerce will celebrate four new businesses with ribbon cutting ceremonies: on November 16 at 1 p.m., the Cup of Joy Coffee Barn 108 W. Vine Street and three on November 19: at 10 a.m., Let Go Ministries, 324 N. Michigan Ave., level 2; 11 a.m., Parkview Care Center, 328 W. Vine Street and at 12 p.m., Fat Saturday Salvage, 123 N. Michigan Avenue.
Fitzcharles then brought forth ordinance number 1086, an annual appropriations budget resolution.
In it, Fitzcharles put forth a transfer of funds to the Tree Commission, a $2,000 increase to go to the police budget and a $2,000 increase to the professional and technical services. All told, it was a budget increase of $4,000 and the ordinance passed, 4-0.
The meeting was then adjourned, via a 4-0 vote. .
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
HONORING A HERO … Mayor Robert Day presents Heart Saver Hero Award to C.J. Coburn. Coburn performed CPR on a young female, who is expected to make a full recovery.