by Sue Miklovic
The village of North Baltimore held its council meeting on Tuesday December 18th at council chambers.
Before the meeting began prayer was offered by Pastor Mike Soltis of the Bridge. He stated that there are currently approximately 100 recipients of Food Pantry help per month. He also shared that he has had inquiries on the need for a clothing pantry in North Baltimore. He asked the council members to please let them know if that’s something that they think would be beneficial for the community.
All council members were present for the meeting. Missing was student representative Zoey Beaupre. Under public participation, Mayor Goldner introduced the new village administrator Mr. Michael Brillhart who just began his duty in North Baltimore on Tuesday. Brillhart said “It’s an honor to serve as the village’s administrator and to help the village move forward.”
After village financial officer Melanie Lee quit two weeks ago, the village hired North Baltimore resident and retired accountant Tony Swartz to serve as interim financial officer. Swartz has now been on the job for approximately one week and said he has seen many financial postings which were not completed. Swartz stated since May or June things look like they have not been done correctly. “Perhaps the former treasurer was just a bit overwhelmed or maybe really didn’t have the proper skill set to complete the tasks. Be assured the money is all there, it just isn’t posted in the right location or account,” he said.
The Council approved an Annual
Appropriation Ordinance for Current expenses and expenses throughout 2019. Mr. Swartz said, “The appropriations give you
the ability to spend money beginning in January for 2019. We need to approve
the suggested appropriations tonight. We can change the appropriations a
hundred times in the future if we need to, but we need to have something in
place to begin in January 2019.”
The Council approved the recommendations made from the village’s Planning Commission
to make a change on a Briar Hill Road property that will allow two lots to be
combined into one in order for the property owner to construct a garage on that
property.
The Council also approved an ordinance allowing the Village Administrator or Mayor to contract with Neptune Equipment Company for required yearly water meter maintenance.
The Mayor stated that job openings have been posted on Ohio Means Jobs, on Civic Plus, and in several local news media outlets for the vacant village financial officer position as well as the village’s water plant operator vacancy.
In other business, Council Member Leisa Zeigler announced the Economic and Community Development committee will have a meeting with Black Swamp Location Strategies on December 27th.
The Mayor reported the bid sheets were prepared for some street paving in the village and will be made available January 1st , to be returned to the Village by interested bidders by the close of the day February 1st.
Councilman Matt Beegle thanked Mr. Swartz for his open communication and transparency and said that he believes that’s what the members of council are looking for.
In other business, Council agreed to pay all the bills which totaled over $143,000. The meeting ended with the council going into an executive session regarding Economic Development. No further action was expected.
