WCPA SECRETARY … The Williams County Port Authority voted Ashley Epling as their new secretary.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Williams County Port Authority met on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 12:25 p.m. First shared were interesting statistics, including one that reported that over 50% of residents cannot get approved for loans on homes that cost over $200,000.
The properties in Edgerton and Bryan are getting ready to be finished up, with plans for open houses already on the WCPA’s collective mind.
The first official order of business taken at this meeting was accepting the resignation of Dawn Fitzcharles as Secretary of the WCPA. Dawn is still staying on as fiscal officer.
WEDCO Executive Director Ashley Epling was then appointed as secretary for the WCPA.
The Authority is waiting on word for what is happening with the Bryan Senior Living Complex and has scheduled an executive session in August to discuss purchasing more lots.
This should mean that they will be set to meet their 25-house-goal next year easier than expected.
Then approved was the purchase of two Montpelier lots off Linden Street.
As the fiscal activity through July was approved, it was noted that the activity reflected that four houses were actively being worked on at once, which is exciting and impressive.
The minutes from the June meeting were approved as presented, and an extension of 30 days was allocated for the finishing of construction on the Bryan Main Street property.
It was then expressed that the county’s desperate need for housing is made apparent in the fact that the houses that the WCPA is building are selling long before the houses are fully market ready, as well as them typically selling above asking price.
It was then decided that the cost accrued by the completion of a housing study, which totaled to $11,500, would be split between the Commissioner’s Office, WEDCO, and the WCPA.
The Commissioner’s Office is set to pay for half, while the WCPA and WEDCO are planning to split the remaining $5,750.
The Williams County Port Authority then entered into executive session to discuss the acquisition of property at 12:36 p.m.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com