PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
WELL … Crews with the specialized well control company were on site during last week’s well fire, including after the blaze was extinguished. Wauseon Fire Chief Phil Kessler provided city council with an update on the multi-day response during Monday night’s meeting.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held their meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026. The meeting began at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, followed by council approving the minutes from the previous meeting as presented.
During department reports, Fire Chief Phil Kessler updated council on the well fire that began Wednesday the week before and continued until Friday afternoon.
Kessler said the response went well despite the department having never experienced an incident of that type in northwest Ohio.
Approximately 600,000 gallons of water were used during the response, including 320,000 gallons from the city’s municipal water system.
Archbold personnel tracked the number of tanker dumps, with an estimated 222 made during the incident.
Due to the proximity of the fire, crews maintained water curtains around the scene until a specialized company from Texas arrived to assist. The Rychener family and Watson Wells remained at the site until the fire was extinguished.
Mayor Kathy Huner noted that Napoleon was also drawing water from Wauseon while dealing with its own water situation.
She thanked those who remained at the scene through the extreme heat, along with employees at the water treatment plant.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden reported that Ross Butler will begin working full time as a patrol officer on Monday.
He also announced that Walmart will host a Community Safety event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1, on the west side of the store near Sky Cinema.
Chittenden added that no crashes have been reported since the speed limit change on South Shoop Avenue.
Law Director Tom McWatters reported that he would be focusing on submitting resolutions to the ballot involving the pool levy and the city’s Building and Zoning Department.
Council then approved a resolution consenting to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s construction of a single-lane roundabout at County Road D and State Route 108. The legislation also authorizes ODOT to acquire any necessary right-of-way in the city’s name.
A second resolution was approved to place an additional 1.6-mill levy for parks and recreation purposes before voters.
Councilor Hite clarified that the measure is a renewal that did not previously make it onto the ballot. Under new business, council received copies of an application for alcohol sales on city property, an alcohol policy, and an application for event or parade permits.
Council later entered executive session to discuss the purchase or sale of property before holding a second executive session regarding pending or imminent litigation.
No action was taken afterward, and the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
