Fostoria Council appoints new member

FOSTORIA —The Fostoria City Council met Tuesday evening where they appointed Thomas Baker - a lifelong Fostoria resident - to fill the vacancy in the city's second ward. Baker, who is a St. Wendelin High School graduate, said he's worked at Mennel Milling for 36 years where he is currently a sales manager. "I'm hoping to use my communication skills to talk to the residents of Fostoria," he explained. "Also to bring, if we can, more business into town, and I want to back up the police department and give them the right equipment they need to make this place a safe place." Members of the council then proposed questions to Baker. Councilperson Edward Logsdon asked Baker what he would change within the city of Fostoria, if anything. "Honestly, I would like to change the mentality of this town," Baker said. "We have to be positive...that could change a lot. I see a lot of negativity and we've got to stop that." Baker was then voted in to fill in the Second Ward vacancy, previously filled by Mike Shaffer. With all council members voting yes, aside from Don Mennel who abstained, Baker was successfully chosen to fill the position. In other news, the council passed a resolution to authorize participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) road salt contracts awarded in 2023. The council also passed a resolution to establish the city of Fostoria's Community Housing Impact Program (CHIP FY 23.) Then, an ordinance was passed to adopt and amend ordinance No. 2022-75 (Permanent 2023 Appropriations) by appropriating from unappropriated funds in the CHIP FY 23 Fund and the Sewer Fund. Finally, the council moved on to pass a resolution to approve the Mayor as an authorized signer on all listed depository accounts held at Premier Bank. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next council meeting will take place at 6 p.m., May 3, in the council chambers.