Tuesday, February 13th, 2018
Brewery on tap in New Bremen
By Jeff Elking
NEW BREMEN - A new business venture is brewing on the horizon in New Bremen.
Councilors gave first reading on Monday of an ordinance to transfer a 0.95-acre parcel of land to the Community Improvement Corp., which in turn after gaining approval would sell it to The New Bremen Brewing Co.
Business owners plan to open a microbrewery on the west edge of the village in the Bunker Hill Industrial Park, directly east of the current Fastenal building, fronting State Route 274. Residents James and Diane Gilberg own the proposed business venture. The planned building would be 3,600 square feet with seating for up to 85 people.
The brewery, to be named Gongoozle, would have James Gilberg as the brewmaster and three planned full-time employees. The business would have an A1C permit, which would allow beer to be produced and sold on the premises. The owners hope to be operational by this fall.
In other action, council members discussed how much village administrator Chris Dicke can spend on purchases before needing council's approval. Solicitor Jason This said Ohio Revised Code allows purchases of up to $50,000 without a council vote. Mayor Jeff Pape and council members concurred with thought the village had previous legislation limiting the amount to $25,000.
This suggested the mayor research the issue and report back to council at the next meeting. By law any purchase over $50,000 must be placed for open bidding.
Also on Monday, council members,
• gave first reading of an ordinance to transfer $125,000 from the income tax fund to the parks fund and $50,000 to the pool fund.
• authorized the purchase of a new Dodge Charger for the police department. The new vehicle will replace a 2014 Charger with 110,000 miles. Chief Mike Skinner said the vehicle travels an average of 5,000-6,000 miles per month. The new vehicle when equipped will cost nearly $30,000.
• learned village officials plan to order four remanufactured transformers. The units have a four- to six-week lead time on delivery. Total cost will be $29,000.
• learned the rates for a family pool pass will increase from $90 to $100. Also being reviewed are the rates for pool rentals with considerations for the size of the party and the number of lifeguards required to manage it.
• approved a payment of $2,233 to cover the village's share of the Auglaize County Emergency Cooperative for hazardous material services.
• heard from Jerry McClannan of Mote & Associates about drawings of the proposed sledding hill at the Bremenfest Park. The hill, which would be 20 feet high, would be constructed using dirt from the Front Street reconstruction project to start this spring. McClannan detailed how and where the drainage would be installed at the site. If council decides to proceed with the sledding hill, a cost savings of more than $25,000 would be recognized using the dirt, rather than paying to dispose of it.
