Tuesday, November 28th, 2017

St. Henry workers granted raises

By Tom Stankard
ST. HENRY - Village employees could receive pay raises in 2018 with the average increase being nearly 3 percent.
Council members on Monday gave first reading of the resolution. If passed after third reading, village administrator Ron Gelhaus said salaries for 2018 would include a one-time payment of $5,137 for mayor Steve Koesters, $52,063 per year for fiscal officer/village tax administrator Ruth Miller and $58,867 annually for police chief Bob Garman.
Other annual salaries would be for Gelhaus, $67,651; public works superintendent Bob Borgerding, $54,813; and public utilities superintendent Stan Sutter, $53,393.
Councilors gave first reading of a separate ordinance to reappoint attorney Richard Delzeith as village solicitor at a rate of $900 per month.
Members also gave first reading of a resolution to authorize temporary appropriations to cover any expenses in 2018 until the final budget can be approved.
Also on the agenda, second reading was given of a resolution to construct certain sidewalks and driveway approaches in the village.
Gelhaus said the village tries to complete a sidewalk project every year. The project for 2018 will be on the east side of town from State Route 118 to the water plant. Property owners have until July 31 to have the sidewalks installed, according to Gelhaus, or village employees will install the walks. The residents then can pay up front the amount due or have the cost assessed on their property taxes over three years.
Gelhaus thanked the village's community club for financing a perimeter fence at the pool at a cost of about $40,000.
"They are a great civic organization that has done well for the village," he said. "Kudos to them. We couldn't do a lot of stuff around here without those folks."
Construction of the pool is on schedule, he added.
"The floor of the pool is poured and complete. That was a big milestone," he said.
Final branch and leaf pickup will be the first week of December, Gelhaus announced.
"I ask folks to get out there and get it done if they can," he said.
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CELINA - Two people were injured, including one who was airlifted to St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, as a result of a crash at the intersection of state routes 29 and 118 at about 4:42 p.m. Monday. [More]
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St. Marys
ST. MARYS - City council members on Monday approved a new three-year contract with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association that includes pay increases each year for the police department's five sergeants.
Celina
CELINA - City council members at Monday's penultimate regular meeting of the year passed final readings of major legislation to set electric rates, borrow money and amend the usage of multiuse vehicles in town.
Coldwater council updated on work
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Village administrator/engineer Eric Thomas told council members at Monday's meeting that village officials are looking at an end-of-the-year completion date.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP - A Celina teenager was seriously injured early Sunday morning when his vehicle struck a cement barrier head-on while he was attempting to enter State Route 29 from U.S. 33.
CELINA - A stabbing incident between two brothers early this morning resulted in "apparent non-life threatening injuries," according to a Celina Police Department news release.
CELINA - Mercer County Board of Developmental Disabilities members on Monday learned they are saving money through their membership to the WestCON Developmental Board coalition.
Development of O-line a key to Cats' success
MINSTER - Jared Huelsman put himself in the Minster record book last Friday with 277 yards rushing against Norwalk St. Paul.
The senior quarterback gave most of the credit to his offensive line.
Divisions IV-IV All-Ohio Football
St. Marys football players earned high honors as the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association released its Divisions IV and V All-Ohio selections on Monday afternoon.