New Bremen to conduct study on sewer rates
NEW BREMEN — Councilors covered a fair amount during its brief meeting on Monday night.
New Bremen village council tabled a second
reading of a wastewater rates ordinance, discussed the purchasing of a new truck for the fire department and completed a first reading of a community reinvestment agreement for a business to go into the Bunker Hill Industrial Complex.
At its last meeting on July 14, council completed a first reading and discussed implementing increased rates on its sewers.
The reason for the potential increase is due to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
implementing a mandate to the village to either improve the current wastewater treatment plant or replace it altogether.
Village Administrator Brent Richter informed council during his report Monday that the village has yet to hear anything back from the EPA.
At its last meeting, council discussed basing rates per usage or a flat flee, deciding that a per usage increase made the most sense.
Council tabled a second reading of the ordinance on Monday as the village has commissioned a study to be done by the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP).
“Prior to us raising anybody’s rates, we’re go
ing to have a study done,” said
Mayor Bob Parker.
RCAP is based out of Fremont and the provide consulting services to help rural com
munities address drinking
water and wastewater treatment needs.
Councilors also Monday
completed a first reading on an ordinance that would form a community reinvestment
agreement with Mescher Properties to build a storage facility
in the Bunker Hill Industrial
Complex. With the agreement,
the village would offer Mescher
Properties a 45% tax abatement for eight years.
Also Monday, Parker informed councilors that the vil
lage is looking to buy a new
pumper for the fire department at a cost of $800,000.
Parker said the fire department took the truck out of service a month ago due to it not being able to pass the pump test.
He added that the village had discussed plans to purchase a new one in late 2019 and early 2020, but the pandemic hit and the village decided to put the issue on the back burner at the time. In other business:
• Parker informed council that Maharg Trash Services is increasing the number of bags it sells in a pack. Ten bags will now be standard for one pack. The cost remains the same at $1.55 per bag and a pack of 10 bags will be $15.50.
• Parker thanked the fire department for putting on a nice picnic over the weekend with the New Bremen Firemen’s Picnic. Police Chief Mike Skinner said there were no issues over the weekend.
• Council heard from Parker that the last day for village swimming pool will be Aug. 13, the first day of BremenFest.
• Parker reminded the public that the deadline to submit a petition for open council seats is Aug. 4. Those interested need to have 50 valid signatures on the petition.
• Richter informed council
that a pre-construction meeting will be held on Aug. 4 for the
bike path and crosswalk resurfacing project. • Richter reported that NKTelco is completing work on the north water tower. After completion, both the north and south water towers will be hooked up to wifi.
• Richter mentioned that the sculptures in the village were installed and plaques have been ordered.
• Council completed a first reading on Ordinance 2021-0715 which makes amendments to the official zoning map of New Bremen.
• Council completed a second reading of Resolution 202107-08. Council learned at its previous meeting in July from Fiscal Officer Amy Speelman
that the village stands to receive $204,812 for the General Fund and $166,580 for the EMS Fund as part of funds and tax rates set by the Auglaize County Budget Commission.
• Parker announces fines, fees and forfeitures of $1,019 for the month of June and Councilor Jacob Larger announced June receipts as $1,309,940.27 and July expenses were $940,141.78.
• Council entered executive session to discuss property and personnel. No action was taken.