Windham – Windham Village Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting recently, with all council members in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Garrett.
Fiscal Officer Cheree Taylor presented the financial report. Year to date, the village has collected $365,560.18 in income taxes. The expenditures for the month of September were $155,822.11 leaving the bank reconciliation at $1.904,109.68. Council unanimously approved the report.
Council also approved the dispatcher’s report for fire, police and rescue.
Council approved ordinance O-2021-19, an ordinance authorizing the amending and or supplementing of the permanent appropriations set forth in Ordinance O-2021-7, on March 23,2021 for the Village of Windham, as set forth below and declaring an emergency.
In safety, personnel and rules, council approved a pay raise for Andrew McCabe. They also did a first read on entering in a contract with the Portage County Public Defenders Office for the defense of indigent residents charged with criminal offenses under the villages ordinances and declaring an emergency.
Next, they passed Ordinance O- 2021-17, an ordinance amending section 555.02, notice to cut grass or weeds. Some of the changes are, a resident/owner will be given one notice per year to maintain their yard and will have five days to comply. They will only issue one notice, after that, they will levy fines. One will need to read the entire ordinance changes for all the specifics.
A discussion was held on the fire district and the inequality of funding/ services used between the township and the village. The mayor proposed a $10,000 supplement to the district for three years. Council has asked their solicitor to research it and see if its legal and draw up a contract for the proposal. Another idea was, adding a levy, and lastly, compare the cost of joining Community Ambulance in Garrettsville and eliminate Windham’s services. They will wait on more information before making any decision on the issue.
In Parks and Recreation, they have secured a Santa and a suit for the December lighted Christmas parade. The event will be from 5-7pm in Windham on December 12th. Plans are still being made for the event.
Council adjourned to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues. After they reconvened from the executive session, council accepted the resignation/ retirement of Police Chief Eric Breiding, effective October 31, 2021. Then, they appointed Rick Garinger as interim chief, effective November 1, 2021. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
