Edon’s loss is West Unity’s gain as Randy Mahlman is taking a job as the new water/waste water supervisor.
The West Unity Village Council approved the recommendation of Administrator Josh Fritsch at a special meeting Dec. 20. The move fills a vacancy in the ranks for West Unity.
For Mahlman, it’s a matter of switching hats in town as he had just resigned from the council Dec. 8. He has been the administrator in Edon for several years.
Mahlman will be paid $22.50 an hour and will be on probation for six months. Based on his seven years of previous experience with the village, he will be given two weeks’ vacation in 2017 and three weeks in 2018.
His sick time will transfer to the village as well. He starts his new job Jan. 9.
There was discussion of Mahlman as the council waived three readings for Resolution 12-2016-14 that establishes ranges for rates of pay for certain officers and employees. Kirk Thompson wanted to know what Mahlman would be doing for Edon and was told by Fritsch and Mayor Peg Bernath he would be completing report on water and wastewater that cannot be done until January.
Council member Teri Lebowsky did not believe Mahlman should start with two weeks’ vacation and then three in 2018 because he had quit working for the village before.
Bernath handed out copies of a paper listing the council’s powers. Lebowsky said the budget is under council and vacation time is part of the budget.
According to the unapproved minutes, Council member Kevin Gray said vacation time is a negotiable part of the hiring process. It is just a coincidence the candidate is a former employee.
This will not become standard practice and is only a part of the negotiations, reiterated Gray. Short and Thompson supported the statement.
The council also approved change orders for the East Jackson Street Waterline and Sewer Replacement Project. The changes totaled $54,012.77 from S & S Directional Boring. Fritsch explained the changes and many on council praised the work of the contractors.
Council discussed people not clearing their sidewalks after a snowfall event. The village ordinance is for people to clear their walks six hours after the snow. Door hangers were discussed and Fritsch will post on the Facebook page.
James Pruitt may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com