PHOTO BY JOHN THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TRAIL TALK … Williams County Fair Board members meet to discuss the Iron Horse River Trail project with Chris Kannel and Nathan Thompson of the Montpelier Village Council at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, May 21.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Fair Board met in regular session on Thursday, May 21 in the Thaman Building.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, with nine directors and two auxiliary directors in attendance, the fair board approved the minutes of the April 2026 regular board meeting and the treasurer’s report.
Board President Pam Goll announced that Metalink of Defiance will be providing internet and phone service for the fairgrounds.
She said that Metalink will be coming next week to hook up the internet starting with the main office building despite not getting the phone changed yet.
Metalink will provide free setup for service in the main office, Gillette Building and Show Arena, including interior and exterior router switches for the office, camera connections and vendor connections.
The fair board’s only upfront cost will be a $200 setup fee. The monthly charge for internet and phone service will now be $349.95.
Goll said the fair currently pays Frontier $650 a month and Spectrum $200 a month for service.
Montpelier Village Council members Chris Kannel and Nathan Thompson updated the fair board on the Iron Horse River Trail project which runs through the fairgrounds property.
Kannel said they have a draft of a memorandum of understanding from the village’s attorney.
The MOU will be between the Village of Montpelier, the Fair Board/County Commissioners, and Parkview Health Group.
He said everyone will sign the same document with attorneys being present. The village will engage a survey firm who would put together an easement which has to be approved. After the easement is approved, the Village of Montpelier will seek funding.
Once funding is secured, the Village of Montpelier will complete the design. After it’s built, Montpelier will maintain the trail, so the easement is for access and maintenance.
Kannel also noted that the agreement includes a reasonable restriction reserving the fair’s right to close the portion of the trail extension on the fairgrounds parcel — including by locked gates — during the annual Williams County Fair or other major events.
“We acknowledge during the county fair the trail is going to be closed,” he said.
In other fair board action:
-Mike Goebel and Mark Trausch representing the Williams County Beef Producers updated the fair board on the open beef show taking place on Sunday, Sept. 20, which is also the day after the Williams County Fair is over on Sept. 19.
-The fair board was informed that electrical work has been completed in the Rural/FFA building.
-Fair board member Tobi Fenicle reported on the recent KOI Drag Racing event which was held on May 16 at the fairgrounds.
He said the event attracted 220 people, but unfortunately lost money despite the admission price being $15 per person.
There will be another KOI Drag Racing event on Friday, May 29 at the fairgrounds. Board members approved a $1,000 rental fee for it.
-Went into executive session to discuss contracts. No action was taken.
Next meeting will be on Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m.
