Forest Village Council – March 12, 2026

Village of Forest Council met in regular session on March 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM in council chambers.

Mayor Hastings called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendance:

• Derek Hastings- present
• Mary Dickinson- present
• Loretta Perkins- present
• Sarah Hankins- present
• Danielle Moore- present
• Valerie Mullholand- present
• Joe Moore- present

Village Announcements: None

Approval of Agenda for March 12, 2026: S. Hankins moved to approve agenda for 3/12/26 meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0nays. Agenda approved.

Approval/Corrections of Minutes: Approval of minutes from February 26, 2026. M. Dickinson moved to approve minutes from 2/26/26 council meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays, V. Mullholand abstained. Minutes approved.

Bills: V. Mullholand moved to approve the payment of bills. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Payment of bills approved.

Citizens’ Comments: Paul Osborne is the current Administrator of Alger and is running for Hardin County Commissioner. He introduced self and passed out business cards.

Old Business: None

New Business: Resolution 2026-03 Accepting 2026 Permanent Appropriations for fiscal year 2026 was present. V. Mullholand moved to approve Resolution 2026-03. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas 0 nays Resolution 2026-03 approved.

Tree Town Festival had a letter presented to request park rule changes for the 2026 festival. It was discussed that a procedure needs to be established for any request for rule changes for community events at the park. It was discussed that any changes would be done with a recommendation from Park board and approval by Council. A draft will be presented to council at next meeting. The Service Committee will work on this.

Committee Reports

Mayor: S. Hankins attended Health Advisory Committee meeting yesterday.

Finance/Audit: Committee met 3/12/26. Village audit has been occurring next week. End of year 2025 has been completed. Discussed Permanent Appropriations for 2026. Discussed health insurance premium increase.

V. Mullholand moved that the Village’s current contribution be increased by the percentage yearly insurance premium increase. Employee will have the same increase as well. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Increase approved.

Safety: Did not meet. Have a meeting scheduled for 3/23/26 @ 6:45pm. Kate Parthmore will be Ambulance representative.

Police Chief: Gave a statistics update. Electronic citations are active. The department received a $2000 donation from Hempy Water for equipment. Letter was presented by Chief advising that if residents do not want solicitors on property to have a sign displayed.

Fire Chief: Still working on figures from grant they received.

Ambulance Board: Mayor Hastings attended meeting on 3/11/26. Kate Parthmore was chosen as ambulance representative for Safety Committee.

Service: Scheduled meeting for 3/16/26 @ 6pm.

Administrator:

Water: Will be completing hydrant flushing the next few weeks. Have been researching meter options. Current meters are being tested and no over charging has been observed at this time.

Sewer: Had a main break on Chestnut Street and was fixed. Lift station training will be scheduled soon and pumps will be replaced during that time. Grant was submitted for sewer project.

Streets: South Gormley, South Mary, and Campbell Street will be worked on this year and should have more details soon.

Park: Working on projects from Park Board.

Park Board: Update from 3/9/26 meeting was given. Jones Management will continue servicing pond and area again this year. Restrooms to be open for seasonal use. Clean up day is scheduled for 3/14/26 @ 9am. J. Rinehammer will be posting for seasonal position. Next meeting is 4/9/26 @ 9am at AWP.

Market Square: None

CIC: None

Business/Industrial Development: Have not met, meeting quarterly planning to meet in April

Zoning and Planning: Update from meeting was given. Discussion has been held and will continue on the need of a zoning officer. Next meeting scheduled for 3/23/23 @ 6pm.

Human Resources/Ethics: Need to schedule the next meeting.

Tree Commission: None

Village Solicitor: Ordinance 2026-01 U Turns within the Village of Forest, OH- First Reading Still looking on a replacement recommendation. M. Fish will create a job description for Solicitor position.

Fiscal Officer: Audit and Final Appropriations have been the main focus.

V. Mullholand moved to adjourn meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays, Meeting adjourned at 8:01pm.