Council considering purchase for FD

NEW BREMEN — During village council’s meeting Monday night, council completed a first reading of a resolution that would result in a purchase of a pumper for the New Bremen German Township Fire Department.

The current pumper, a 1991 model, has been taken out of service as it no longer meets the requirements.

Council discussed replacing the truck in late 2019 and early 2020 but did not complete a purchase because of the pandemic and the village decided to revisit it later.

Fiscal Officer Amy Speelman said the village put the pumper out for bid and currently have a quote of $804,000.

She said that the village will pay 75% of the total cost and the township will pay for the remaining 25%. Once it is ordered the village will make a 50% down payment and pay the remaining balance when it’s delivered.

Council also padded an ordinance by emergency to amend 2021 appropriations to include the purchase. Also Monday, Village Administrator Brent Richter said that the village received word back from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding the wastewater treatment plant.

He said that the EPA is giving the village 72 months to meet the ammonia and phosphorus limits, up come from the previous 36-month timeframe.

Richter said the village has a planned call with the Ohio EPA on Aug. 26 to find out more.

In other business:

• Council completed a first reading of an ordinance that would annex over eight acres into German Township.

• Council suspended the rules and passed a resolution to establish an American Rescue Plan Fund and to apply and receive funds. Speelman said the village stands to receive two payments of $155,188.70.

She said the first payment should be received any time and the second payment will be one year from now. The funds can be used for infrastructure, water and sewer and broadband. The village has until Dec. 31, 2024 to spend the funds.

• The village will begin to bid out the farm land it purchased from the Komminsk Estate for farm use. The land total is 139 acres.

• In his mayor’s report, Bob Parker informed councilors that Cider Time, the parade and trick-or-treat will be held on Oct. 31. Arrival for Cider Time is 1 p.m. with the parade beginning at 1:30 p.m. Trick-or-treat will run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Council learned that NKTelco will be purchased by Schurz Communications, based out of Indiana. NKTelco has been locally-owned and operated since 1905. The company will continue to operate under the NKTelco brand.

• Entered executive session to discuss property. No action was taken.