Forest Village Council – April 23, 2026
May 15, 2026
Village of Forest Council met in regular session on April 23, 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 April 23, 2026: D. Moore moved to approve agenda for 4/23/26 meeting. V. Mullholand seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Agenda approved.
Approval/Corrections of Minutes: Approval of minutes from April 9, 2026.
S. Hankins moved to approve minutes from 4/9/26 council meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 4 yeas, 0 nays. M. Dickinson and V. Mullholand abstained due to being absent at 4/9/26 meeting. Minutes approved.
Bills: M. Dickinson moved to approve the payment of bills. V. Mullholand seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Payment of bills approved.
Citizens’ Comments: Leona Fite spoke about a time capsule being completed for the 250th celebration. She asked if the capsule could be buried at Village Hall, near the grass area by flag pole and bell. She stated they would like it opened in 100 years. The capsule is around the size of a shoe box. J. Moore moved that the capsule be approved to be buried at the property near the flag pole. V. Mullholand seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Approved.
Ben with Wessler Engineering provided project and funding updates. At this time, Choice 1 is completing survey for lagoon and collection system. They could be onsite and could take a month and a half to complete this portion. Once Wessler receives their report, they will be able to move forward in the design phase. Wessler has completed meetings to work on funding for design and pre construction services. Loan application has been completed as well. Principle forgiveness has been very positive in all conversations. The project has been determined to be one of high priority.
Old Business: The 3rd reading of Ordinance 2026-02 Amending Park Rules in conjunction with Ordinance Section 957.01. V. Mullholand moved to approve Ordinance 2026-02. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Ordinance 2026-02 approved.
New Business:
1st Reading Ordinance 2026-03 Repealing Ordinance Section 113.03 entitled Council Members Exempt from Two Percent Annual Salary Penalty for Absence
1st Reading Ordinance 2026-04 Amending Ordinance 113.02 Notification of Meetings
Emergency Ordinance 2026-05 Appointing Tom Seeley as Village Solicitor. V. Mullholand moved to suspend the rules and determine this an emergency. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Ordinance 2026-05 declared an emergency.
M. Dickinson moved to approve Ordinance 2026-05 Appointing Tom Seeley as Village Solicitor. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Ordinance 2026-05 approved.
Committee Reports
Mayor: Demo grant for old Tree Town building update. The property owner has signed off and the process is moving forward. Will be attending Chamber Legislative breakfast on 4/24/26.
Finance/Audit: Committee met today prior to Council meeting. Committee reviewed bills and discussed upcoming purchases. Discussion was held on website addition to send out updated information to residents that sign up. This would cost Village of Forest $25 per month. Moving forward with this and plan is to have the information sent out every two weeks, after Council meetings.
Safety: Update from 4/13/26 meeting was given. Stop signs will not be reinstalled at the park. Going to look into having trees trimmed around current signs. Spring Clean Up has been scheduled for May 16 9am to 12pm. Residents must show utility bill or something showing they are a resident of Forest. Next meeting scheduled for 5/18/26 @ 6pm.
Police Chief: No update
Fire Chief: No update
Ambulance Board: No update
Service: Update from 4-20-26 meeting was given. The Tall Grass Ordinance needs to be revised. Pot holes have been patched. Discussed adding a project page on our website with plans and costs of planned projects. Service committee will work on the info to send to the page.
No forward action being made on alley easements at this time. Main issue that there are water valves in those areas. J. Rinehammer is to be following up on selling of equipment. Held more discussion on Food Trucks and if an Ordinance needs to be established. Will continue discussing this issue. Continuing to discuss water read policy. No immediate action at this time.
Administrator:
Water: Continuing to work on well project. Looking into options to lower cost. Waiting to hear from Layne Corp on variance for the site of new well. Currently, finishing a new tap line for a new business on S. Davis Street.
Sewer: Waiting to hear back on funding options. Had an issue with one of the sewer pumps at the vac plant recently. The pump was torn apart and a t-shirt was found inside.
Streets: Been working on cleaning up tree limbs, streets, and catch basins. Began filling pot holes and will be marking areas around town that will require a section to be cut out and fully replaced.
Park: Seasonal help has been hired. Service has been putting a lot of hours in the park. Splash pad will be worked on first week of May, and should be operational by Memorial Day
Park Board: Update from 4/20/26 meeting was given. Met with Jay regarding repairs and for Splash Pad to be opened Memorial Day. Signs at park have not been replaced, but are on list to be completed. Next meeting is 5/11/26 @ 9am at the All-Weather Pavilion.
Market Square: No Update
CIC: No update
Business/Industrial Development: No Update
Zoning and Planning: Update from 4/13/26 meeting was given. Committee discussed the burned down house behind Dairy Barn. Discussed easements in alleys, but not moving forward due to Village having meters in those areas. Ohio Surplus is having a new building added and partial demo of old building. They have requested to have Davis Street vacated. Permits need to be changed to state local permit only. Committee has Ordinances to review, but were waiting on new Solicitor to been hired. Next meeting scheduled for 5/18/26 @ 6:45pm.
Human Resources/Ethics: Meeting scheduled for 5/26/26 @ 5pm.
Tree Commission: No update
Village Solicitor: New Solicitor Tom Seeley was introduced.
Fiscal Officer: Transition to Muni Link continues to be going well.
L. Perkins moved to adjourn meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays, Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm.