Forest Village Council – May 28, 2026

Village of Forest Council met in regular session on May 28, 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 – absent
• Sarah Hankins – present
• Danielle Moore – present
• Valerie Mullholand – present
• Joe Moore – present

M. Dickinson moved to excuse V. Mullholand absence for June 11, 2026 meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Absence excused.

Village Announcements: None

Approval of Agenda for May 28, 2026: V. Mullholand moved to approve agenda for 5/28/26 meeting. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Agenda approved.

Approval/Corrections of Minutes: D. Moore moved to approve minutes from 5/14/26 council meeting. V. Mullholand seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays, L. Perkins abstained. Minutes approved.

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

Citizens’ Comments and Guest Presentations: None

Old Business:

3rd Reading Ordinance 2026-03 Repealing Ordinance Section 113.03 entitled Council Members Exempt from Two Percent Annual Salary Penalty for Absence. V. Mullholand moved to approve Ordinance 2026-03. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Ordinance 2026-03 passed.

3rd Reading Ordinance 2026-04 Amending Ordinance 113.02 Notification of Meetings. D. Moore moved to pass Ordinance 2026-04. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Ordinance 2026-04 passed.

New Business: None

Committee Reports

Mayor: Still working on nuisance properties.

Finance/Audit: Committee met on 5/28/26. Committee reviewed finances and discussion was held on OWDA loan application. At this time, the loan was not able to be presented for funding, due to a deficit in funds projected in 2029. Fiscal Officer is still working with Wessler and OWDA on loan. There will need to be discussion regarding an increase in sewer rates. The current 5% yearly increase is not projected to be high enough to sustain the sewer fund. Discussion was held on moving to postcards for utility billing. This option is the most cost effective. There will continue to be discussion and recommendation to residents to utilize receiving ebills.

Safety: Update from 5/18/26 was given. Signs have been put up throughout the Village, such as no U-turns and speed limit. Solicitor will be reviewing and drafting and update to the current codified fire code ordinance. It is being requested that language be used to reflect following and changing of State codes. Dustin Evans has passed his testing and is a certified fire inspector. Fire Department has completed all requirements with the State for the large grant they received. Next meeting scheduled for 6/22/26 @ 6pm.

Police Chief: Two new part time officers have been sworn in and have started training. Received grant from Hardin County Community Foundation for National Night Out. Andrew Stapley was promoted to Sergeant.

Fire Chief: Nothing new to report that was not already discussed.

Ambulance Board: Chief position has been posted to receive resumes until 6/30/26. Another member has passed their testing. There are currently 7 active members. This has allowed for more runs to be completed.

Service: Scheduled next meeting for 6/1/26 @ 6pm

Administrator:

Water — Working with Neptune for a pilot program to obtain free software and 25 water meters, if successful we will also purchase more meters and begin replacing any Rockwell meters, also working on a schedule for replacing the meters in a cost-efficient manner.

Sewer — Vac system has had minor issues over the last few weeks, Service has been identifying these issues and fixing them.

Streets — Continue to patch streets. Wessler is in town this week and next week to map storm sewers. House on South Patterson Street had a shed collapse near our alley, it is blocking portions of it, service will remove what’s in the alley and speak to the owner.

Park— Full time personnel that accepted seasonal will be moving over to parks on 6/1/26.

Admin — A conditional offer has been made for the open full-time spot, he is currently in the background stage. Insurance has also paid for the roof repair and contractor has already been paid, just waiting for the work to begin.

Park Board: Update from 5/26/26 meeting was given. Park Board approved to give the Smurf and Eagle to Market Square, They also approved the use of pavilion every Tuesday in June for the Forest Library. It was expressed that the park is in need of attention. Beth asked if possibly more assistance with the park could be given. She stated that she has received numerous complaints regarding the current conditions. Splash Pad was unable to open and will have the paint touched up and then reopen. They will look into fully repainting after the season. Next meetings are scheduled for 6/8/26 @ 6:30pm and 6/22/26 @ 9am.

Market Square: Next Saturday will start their summer events.

CIC: Working on decorations for 250-year event.

Business/Industrial Development: V. Mullholand asked if another council member could take over the committee. M. Dickinson offered to become chair. She will reach out to committee members to schedule a meeting.

Zoning and Planning: Update from 5/18/26 meeting was given. Sean Young and Doug Hankins are working on a former list of items that need addressed. Fiscal Officer and Doug Hankins will research insurance check that was sent years ago. Committee discussed swimming pools, fencing, driveway regulations. There were 30 tall grass notices given out, and most have complied. There has been improvement on motor vehicle/junk property concerns. Next meeting is scheduled for 6/22/26 @ 6:45pm.

Human Resources/Ethics: Update from 5/26/26 meeting was given. Committee has received and reviewing employee handbooks from other entities. B. Kromer has reached out to our insurance company to see if they are able to offer assistance. Solicitor Seeley asked to have handbook information sent to him for review. A new disciplinary form was created and approved. Committee is looking into preapproval drug screens and physicals. B. Kromer has reached out to insurance company for guidance. It was stressed that the Village needs to be consistent. Discussion was held and it has been recommended that all pay periods for Village employees run from Sunday to Saturday. V. Mullholand moved to approve the change in pay period. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6yeas, 0 nays. Pay period change was approved and will go into effect on 5/31/26. Committee went into executive session to discuss personal issues.

Tree Commission: Pam Thames has given Mayor Hastings some information. S. Hankins will reach out to commission and schedule a meeting. L. Perkins advised that the tree removal has not been completed on Campbell. Fiscal Officer will follow up.

Village Solicitor: T. Seeley advised that he has some items to work on from tonight’s meeting. He will review fire code ordinance and review tall grass ordinance and feeds. Advised that discussion and documents on pending or potential ligation is public record, unless discussed in executive session.

Fiscal Officer: A reminder was given to have Certified Public Records trainings completed by next council meeting.

M. Dickinson moved to adjourn meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays, Meeting adjourned at 7:48pm.