North Fairfield Fiscal Officer delivers updates to council

North Fairfield Council Fiscal Officer Shellie Cherry reported the village may have to deplete their STAR Ohio investment account.

“After we paid the bills we have $22,000 left in checking. If we are not going to continue with that investment (STAR Ohio) we can transfer everything over to PNC. If not we have to transfer a little bit, because we had $18,000 in bills this month and we only had $22,000 that is available,” she said.

Cherry noted the interest on the STAR Ohio was only $10 this month. Currently the village’s STAR account contains $150,000.

It was agreed to gather additional information about the account, whether it can be kept open with a minimal balance or close the account completely. A decision will be made at the next meeting.

Council member Mary Millis said she hoped people in the village realized the village budget is very limited. “A couple of water main breaks like we just had will take everything there is.”

Council members will be voting on whether on not to place a levy request on the next election ballot at the next meeting. Cherry noted if the village votes to approve a request on the ballot it will have to be turned in the Huron County Board of Elections by Feb. 22, 2022.

Village administrator Tom Leto reported on water main breaks that have been repaired.

Also the village’s leaf pick up has been completed.

“The snow plow has been put on the dump truck and ready for winter.”

He told council the Huron County Sheriff’s Department will be increasing their patrols of the park and garage.

Millis asked if damage to the village’s truck had been reported. Leto responded by stating, “It has been documented, noting, “it is not a police report, but documented by the sheriff’s department as to what happened and what is going on. That is why they are increasing their patrols, looking for the perpetrators of the vandalism.”

Village solicitor Steve Palmer said there a couple of things that happen when something is reported to the sheriff’s department. “First they generate an incident report. It is a report of simple details they receive from the complainant. They generate a police report when there is further investigation to merit a narrative for them to report on. In this situation there are no suspects or anything like that. So they probably generated a report on the incident.”

Cherry also reported there is $1,884.68 left in the CARES ACT fund. She told council in an email from OBW, they said they would rather we spend the money than send it back.

“It can be spent on Personal Protective Equipment, cleaning supplies, and that sort of thing. She provided council members with a list of items the money can be spent on. “I was planning to send back until I read the email,” adding, “the new sign and the needed electrical work was paid for with CARES ACT funds.”

The money must be spent by Dec. 31, 2021, according to Cherry.

Millis reported on recreation and thanked all who came out for Frosty’s Winter Party as well local churches, and the American Legion for their help. She added, “The rides with Santa were a big hit.”

In other business council members approved the purchase of a solar spotlight for the flag pole at a cost of approximately $80 plus shipping.

North Fairfield Council meets regularly on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the village hall. The next meeting will be on Dec. 20.