New Riegel police chief tenders resignation

New Riegel Mayor Larry Bouillon read Police Chief Steve Swartzmiller’s resignation letter that went into effect Aug. 31. He has taken a chief administrator position with another Ohio department. Members accepted the resignation and Bouillon thanked Swartzmiller for his service. After examining the newly planted park trees, Councilwoman Deirdre Bakies found burlap and twine was bound around the root ball and buried too deeply. Mohawk Nursery donated nine trees to the village while the village paid $900 for other supplies. The nursery said the trees were planted correctly by their staff. Bakies is to contact the nursery to see if they could replace them. Another suggestion was to dig the trees up in the spring and have them replanted correctly. Bakies also said she had been contacted by New Riegel American government teacher Casey Losey about setting up a website for the village linked to her class’s website for students to learn about local government. It would post information about the elected officials and their responsibilities. Students could look at tax issues and the population. Losey wants the project to be ongoing in the coming years. Council members said Losey should prepare a proposal and present it to council. Bakies said Jeff Finn with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expects to finish the nature area at the park in October. Councilman Rick Kessler, who has been working on the application for a $34,520 0-percent loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission for resurfacing Mills Street and alleyways, was granted permission to advertise for bids for the project. The loan is for 15 years and the annual payment would be $2,301. The village plans to supply $20,000 toward the project. Kessler also reported on the progress of Bascom Telephone bringing service to the village. He said phase 1 is finishing laying the lines for First National Bank. Phase 2 will be a pre-sign up from residents for service and phase 3 would be expanding service to those showing an interest. Council moved into executive session to discuss personnel issues pursuant to hiring a new police chief. In other matters, council: Approved an ordinance prohibiting the discharge of mowed grass and vegetation into the street, reducing clogged drains. Approved an ordinance regulating panhandling in the village, with a penalty up to a $150 fine. Heard trees were trimmed and a stump ground by A&D for $500. Other trees will be examined for trimming and a quote obtained. Heard the first reading of an ordinance amending a codified ordinance for the Regional Income Tax Agency to comply with the Ohio Revised Code by Jan. 1. Members learned three village residents are needed to serve as the tax commission. Heard the state audit is ongoing. Moved to have the village fire extinguishers checked. Learned the park has been closed and restrooms are to be winterized. Announced leaf pickup is Mondays starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 12. Approved the $600 purchase of LEADS software for the police department. Set the Halloween Parade for Oct. 25. Lineup is at 1 p.m. at American Legion and steps off at 1:30 p.m. Trick or treat in the village follows 2-4 p.m. Council is to meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20.