Council, BOE talk Minster land swap

MINSTER - Minster Local Schools officials expressed an interest to village councilors on Tuesday night in working with the village to complete a proposed land swap.

Schools superintendent Josh Meyer and board of education president Rich Bruns discussed the possibility of the school district obtaining about 11.5 acres of land adjacent to the school campus. The land is presently the site of the village swimming pool, a shelter house, a tennis court and parking lots.

Additional land for a school expansion may by needed to meet the school district's enrollment projections in a few years, Meyer told the newspaper prior to Tuesday night's meeting.

Under the proposed land deal with the school district, the village would receive a tract of land adjacent to the Four Seasons Park. Meyer said the district has an option to purchase the land currently owned by Edward Dirksen. In a letter to the village, Meyer said "the village structured a similar deal many years ago which resulted in the board acquiring the property on which the current school campus is located on East Seventh Street."

Councilor Curt Albers said the land swap issue was discussed at park committee meetings and concerns were raised that such a transaction could have legal issues involving the federal government grant stipulations on the use of the land.

Meyer said the school would work with the village to meet the government grant stipulations (federal Department of Interior and Ohio Department of Natural Resources) for land used in a transfer of property.

Councilor Craig Sherman asked school officials if the trade is completed, how soon they foresee the property being developed for school purposes and he was told possibly five years.

"We spent money to make the pool last 10 years," Sherman said.

Mayor Craig Oldiges said the village will continue discussions with school officials on the possible land swap.

"We know this won't be an overnight process," Oldiges said.

In other business, all village employees will see an additional 3% in their pay checks in the new year as councilors passed an ordinance to grant pay raises.

The action followed a half-hour executive session.

Village employees also received 3% raises last December.

Councilors welcomed a familiar face back to their meeting after hiring John Stechschulte, who served as village fiscal officer for more than 30 years before retiring in 2022, to fill the position on an interim basis. Stechschulte replaces fiscal officer Tricia LeDoux, who recently resigned after a working for the village for a year.

Stechschulte will serve as interim fiscal officer while the village pursues a permanent replacement. Village administrator Don Harrod reported the position has been advertised.

Councilors approved an ordinance that establishes a reserve fund to be used for future recreation facility improvements, such as a new swimming pool. Harrod noted the money could also be used as matching local funds for state or federal grants.

He explained $100,000 per year would be set aside in the fund up to a maximum of $1 million. He said if the money is not used within 10 years, it would be returned to the general fund.

Council members also approved an ordinance entering into a new contract for emergency medical services with the Minster Area Life Squad at a cost of $96,500 per year. The contract will be for three years at the same annual amount as the current three-year agreement.

Harrod also advised councilors that he met last week with Fort Loramie officials to discuss the development of a multi-use trail between the two communities.

"One option that appears feasible is using the canal towpath for a major portion of the trail," Harrod said. Another meeting is scheduled in January.

Councilors also,

• learned village officials met last week with Ohio Department of Transportation officials to discuss the State Route 66 pedestrian crossing project and the possibility of reducing the speed limit between Seventh Street and State Route 119/Bensman Road. Choice One engineers shared speed study results with ODOT. Harrod said the state has requested additional data on the speed limit issue.

• approved the November income tax report reflecting collections totaling $208,999. Harrod said this year's total stands at $4,697,752 through the end of November, about $100,000 less than last year.

• passed on rule suspension a resolution increasing appropriations and revenues in certain village accounts. They also approved temporary appropriations totaling $8.7 million for the first three months of 2025. Permanent appropriations must be approved before March 1.

• heard Harrod report the Minster-Jackson Township Fire Department has taken delivery on a new truck designed to fight grass and field fires.

• were advised village crews have installed signs to make the intersection of Hanover and Second streets a four-way stop. Warning signs have been installed to alert motorists to the change.

• Harrod said the police department building project is nearing completion. He said new carpet was installed after the first carpet installed did not match project specifications.

The next council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at village hall.