By Martha Jacob
The four acting members of the Fayetteville Village Council met in regular session on Wednesday, Feb. 13. After calling roll call, Mayor Randy Carson introduced two residents who are interested in becoming members of council.
Jeanna Dunbar and Jeff Bilzing both expressed their interest in joining council. Council had planned on going into executive session to discuss the two candidates, but Mayor Carson said he knew of a couple of other candidates who were interested in joining council.
“Council also received a letter from former council member Wendy Evans,” said council clerk Barb Kiley. “She asked to be considered for council because she felt like when she left she did it in haste and regretted leaving council.”
The letter from Evans said she felt like she had barely gotten started and had a lot of ideas for council and would like a chance to get back on the team.
Village solicitor Courtney Worley was in attendance of the meeting and read some information from the Ohio Municipal League book about fiscal officers. Mayor Carson said that he would like to do away with a clerk treasurer and change it to fiscal officer for the village. Kiley currently holds that position. That way, people who are not residents of the village can come in and run for office and be voted in as fiscal officer.
Fayetteville Police Chief and acting administrator, Chad Essert reported to council that his department had assisted Clermont County to cover a portion of the county because their officers would be at the services for the fallen officer that lost his life. Fayetteville also had an officer at the funeral.
Chief Essert also said the vests for his officers were in which were paid for with grant funds. Other heavy duty vests for members of the Swat Team had not yet arrived.
Chief Essert reported that his departments new vehicle has arrived which is being leased. The department will pay $9,000 for the first year, which will come out of the police fund. He also reported that he wanted to create the position for a lieutenant and he asked for a raise for his 10 officers.
Chief Essert also wants to discuss the contract of the School Resource Officer with Fayetteville-Perry School at the next meeting.
Acting as administrator, Essert said he divided the streets of Fayetteville into 13 sections and placed them into ABC categories as to their condition and which needed attention first. He said there are at least four more patches in need of repaving on US 50.
Council also discussed putting up a building by the water tower to have a place equipment in.
Kiley asked council to come up with an up-to-date inventory of equipment.
The veteran hangings have now been taken down by the fire department. They will be stored at the fire department.
Council had a second reading of an ordinance establishing new rates and charges for water service to the village residents.
This story originally appeared in the March 7 News Democrat. To get the best local news first, call 513-732-2511 to subscribe.