Trending
McDONALD -- Two former mayors, a one-time fire chief and several residents have applied to fill an opening on village council as Councilman Don Smith attended his final meeting Wednesday.
Smith, a 27-year resident who served as chairman of the finance and capital improvement committee and levy committee, is moving next month with his family.
Mayor Ray Lewis said council will be reviewing the eight applicants to have someone in place for the Aug. 19 meeting.
The applicants are former mayors James Border and Marty Puckett, former fire chief Nicholas Kish, and residents Dylan Bigelow, James Billock, Brian Flanigan, Odell Houston and Rick Teter.
The person selected will fill Smith's term through December 2027. If that person wants to continue on council, he will need to run in the November 2027 general election.
Lewis said Smith "was the epitome of what a council member is" and his departure leaves "a huge loss to the village."
"I could call Don with any questions, especially on finances. I appreciate that you were always there to help answer questions,'' Lewis said.
Councilman John Metzinger said, "the village has been better off having Don as a councilman."
E-BIKES
Lewis said children riding electric bikes or scooters on the roads continue to be an issue of concern, including that they are not wearing helmets.
He said village solicitor Doug Ross is looking over what the village can put on the books.
Lewis said strict guidelines will need to be in place on where people can ride e-bikes and that minors need to wear helmets.
He said if there is an accident between an e-bicyclist and a vehicle, then the outcome is not good.
Council President Sean Schmidt said council wants to make sure those using bikes or scooters are safe.
In other business, Schmidt said that for 90 days the village will have four Flock cameras placed in the community during a free trial period.
"The cameras are used for license plates only to let the police department know who is in the village. There may be information on a license plate that shows that person has several warrants or is wanted by the police," Schmidt said.
He said the cameras helped when there was a stolen vehicle parked in the Dollar General lot and alerted village police.
Schmidt said the cameras will not be used to detect speeding vehicles.
Also, Lewis said plans are to have a disc golf course in the park by late summer. A draft of the course is being prepared for review.
The village was given nine free disc golf baskets.
He said Turbo Putt Disc Golf is working with the village on the disc golf course.
Councilwoman Kerry Reckard said she will meet with KO Consulting, along with school and village officials, over plans for a historical millworker walkway in Woodland Park and what signs will be posted to highlight village landmarks, such as mills.
"We will see how we want that trail set up in the park,'' Lewis said.
Reckard said the parks committee is also looking to get an Americans with Disabilities Act swing for those in wheelchairs added to the park.
In other action, council:
• Heard from Lewis residents can report exterior maintenance violations such as high grass and debris to the municipal building for the zoning department to investigate.
• Approved the paving of Seventh Street near the high school to be done before the start of the school year,
• Reported interior renovations are being completed to the police station to modernize it.
• Approved a one-year extension with KO Consulting for services in obtaining grants for various projects.