Council approves substation location

NEW BREMEN - Village council members on Monday approved a location for a new electrical substation after hearing residents' concerns during five previous public meetings.

Members voted 5-1 to construct the substation west of the initial site, which had been deemed the best location by consultant GPD Group.

The 3.346 acres of property the town will purchase is located at 442 N. Herman St. The site is 896 feet from the closest house in the 300 block of North Herman Street.

Mayor Jeff Pape invited the nearly 50 people who filled the meeting room to voice any thoughts on the subject prior to the vote. Resident LJ Jellison asked councilors if they had received feedback about either of the two proposed properties. They said of the few they had received, more favored the 442 N. Herman St. proposal.

Jellison then presented them with signatures of 131 residents who shared his support for that location. After several others shared their thoughts, Pape asked for a motion for either of the two proposals on the table.

Councilman Jim Kronenberger moved in favor of the Herman Street property, and was seconded by Dennis Burnell. Kronenberger said he favored the location because it offered room for expansion if needed.

Councilor Jacob Larger cast the sole dissenting vote.

"This is one of, if not the hardest decision I have to make as a councilor," he said. "We as council are charged with protecting the health, safety and welfare of the village as a whole. In making my decision, that's exactly how I made it."

"On behalf of everyone here, thank you for a tough six weeks, and thank you for listening," Jellison said after the vote was cast.

His comments were met by applause from the residents who have attended the past four council meetings. The more than $6 million project has a completion goal of March 2020.

In other action, council members,

• approved after third reading a resolution to adopt the annual property, vehicle and equipment insurance with the Ohio Plan. The cost listed at $59,889 was nearly 4% lower than the quote from the Public Entity Pool.

• approved vacating a portion of Meadowbrook Place. The area just off East Front Street was reconfigured with the Front Street reconstruction project, allowing residents to take ownership of the small parcels.

• agreed to amend the handbook to include a water plant and wastewater plant weekend coverage policy.

• met in executive session to discuss personnel with no action taken afterward.

• noted the next council meeting is on July 8.