Paulding Council discusses rate increase, pool opening

PAULDING – Paulding Village Council approved a small utility rate increased heard about the pool opening and a village employee resignation during the regular meeting Monday, May 15.

The Paulding swimming pool is tentatively scheduled to open for the season on Memorial Day, May 29, at 1 p.m.. The pool will be open to the public daily from 1-7 p.m. until mid-August.

The village’s annual water and sewer rate increase will be implemented in June. At a Committee of the Whole meeting May 10, the committee recommended a 5 percent increase due to inflation, instead of the planned 3 percent increase.

Under two ordinances adopted by council last year, the village administrator is authorized to increase rates up to 5 percent each year, without a new rate ordinance.

In his report, administrator Jason Vance requested and received council approval to rate rates for residents and nonresidents by 5 percent.

Vance also reported that utility worker Logan Tope has resigned, effective May 19. Anyone interested in applying for the position in the utility/street department may obtain an application at the village office at 116 S. Main St. or go online to villageofpaulding.com/careers. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Vance announced a pre-construction meeting for the $975,000 Various Street Improvement Project will be held May 23.

EMT Andrea Schad told council the squad is looking into reinstating a ride-along program for those who may be interested in becoming EMTs. The program would be open to ages 16 and older.

Councilman Randy Daeger suggested encouraging cooperation from employers to allow their workers who are EMTs to respond to calls during daytime hours.

Schad also noted they will be offering a CPR class this summer for members of the ACME softball team. Individuals can become certified after taking one four-hour CPR class.

Council unanimously approved two resolutions as emergencies.

Resolution 1399-23 declares a resolution of necessity to levy a 3-mill replacement tax for police department motor vehicle, communications and equipment or for payment of salaries of permanent police personnel. Finance Director Cheryl Halter said the village now will go to the county auditor to determine how much revenue will be generated by a replacement levy. Council must approve a resolution to place the levy on the fall ballot.

Resolution 1400-23 authorizes the village administrator to enter into an agreement and subsequent contracts necessary to receive funds from Ohio Department of Natural Resources to construct a playground at Lela McGuire Jeffery Park.

Councilman Dan Workman said a 25 mph speed limit sign is needed on Fairground Drive west of Williams Street. Officials will have to check to see if a speed limit ordinance already exists or if one is needed.

Daeger urges residents to obey the ordinances prohibiting weeds and junk. Police can issue citations for mowing grass clippings into the street.

EMS reports for March and April were distributed. In March, Paulding EMS had 90 calls and 69 patients. The squad missed four calls due to low staffing and provided mutual aid once for Oakwood EMS. In April, Paulding EMS had 74 calls and 71 patients for a year-to-date total of 290 calls and 247 patients. The squad missed one call due to low staffing.

The police department during March responded to 224 service requests and three traffic accidents; issued two traffic citations; wrote one parking ticket; sent nine junk notice letters; and issued no junk ordinance citations. During April, police responded to 284 service requests and six traffic accidents; issued one traffic citation; wrote zero parking tickets; sent two junk notice letters; and issued no junk ordinance citations.

At the last regular meeting May 1, council unanimously approved two items following executive session. The first was a motion to rescind the request for a hearing on a liquor license application for the Beck Alley. The second was a motion rejecting a 16-foot street in favor of a minimum 24-foot street in the Countryside Estates subdivision expansion.

The next regular council meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5. The public may watch live via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4451352151. The meeting ID number is 445 135 2151.