Village Council Minutes: October 8, 2026

Village of Forest Council met in regular session on October 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers.

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

Attendance:

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

Village Announcements: None

Approval of Agenda for October 8, 2026:
V. Mullholand moved to approve agenda for 10/8/26 meeting. L Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Agenda approved.

Approval/Corrections of Minutes: S. Hankins moved to approve minutes from 9/24/26 Council Meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. M. Dickinson abstained. Minutes approved.

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

Citizens’ Comments and Guest Presentations: None

Old Business: None

New Business:

First Reading of Resolution 2026-07 Authorizing the Mayor to prepare and submit an application to OPWC for Smith St. and Railroad St. resurfacing was completed.

First Reading of Resolution 2026-08 Authorizing the Mayor to prepare and submit an application to OPWC for Phase 1 of the Waste Water Treatment Facility (lagoons) was completed.

V. Mullholand moved to suspend the three readings for Emergency Resolution 2026-09 Authorizing the Mayor to Apply For, Accept, and Enter into a Cooperative Agreement for Planning (Design) of the Lagoon Improvements Project Between the Village of Forest and The Ohio Water Development Authority. J. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays, Motion approved.

D. Moore moved to approve Emergency Resolution 2026-09 Authorizing the Mayor to Apply For, Accept, and Enter into a Cooperative Agreement for Planning (Design) of the Lagoon Improvements Project Between the Village of Forest and The Ohio Water Development Authority. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Resolution 2026-09 approved.

Committee Reports

Mayor: Discussion was held regarding holding the second meetings in November and December with the holidays. This will be decided at the first meeting in November. Mayor Hastings has been working with Mark Doll on demo grants that will need to be submitted by November 26, 2026.

Finance/Audit: Update from 10/8/26 was given. Committee discussed appropriations, bills, and discussion of water rates. The 5% increase that was started this year has brought in additional $30,000. Discussion was held on looking at 5% water rate base and usage increase for 2027.

Safety: Committee has a meeting scheduled for 10/12/26 @ 6pm.

Police Chief: Has ordinances that Solicitor Seeley needs to review prior to presenting to Council. The Police Department continues to get interested residents for a Neighborhood Watch.

Fire Chief: None

Ambulance Board: None

Service: Discussion was held expressing concerns with correct readings being received. The Service Department does not have a large inventory of meters. Jamie Davis presented a 5-year replacement plan to replace all meters. Discussion was also held about getting rid of all Rockwell meters and digging pits for those currently inside residences or businesses.

Compost cleanup application is posted on the Village of Forest website and at the Village office. The clean up will happen on 11/7/26.

Administrator: Interim Administrator Jamie Davis advised that the road construction project will begin on 10/13/26. He is looking into pricing for purchase of new fire hydrant. The Village has received restitution from hydrant damage. Jamie Davis reported that leaf collection will begin 11/2/26. He has been working on updating billing policies for utilities. Camera estimate has been completed, but needs to have company break down per area. Grass and outstanding utility bills assessments will be done by the end of the month for submission. Brush and yard waste will be completed for those that register on 11/7/26.

Park Board: Purchase was completed for picnic tables at the soccer field. The cost was split between Park Board, Soccer Association, and Tree Town Festival. Horizon Cleaning was approved to clean the all-weather pavilion three times a year. Next meeting is scheduled for 10/12/26 @ 6:30pm.

Market Square: None

CIC: None

Business/Industrial Development: Meeting scheduled for 11/9/26 @ 5pm.

Zoning and Planning: Next meeting scheduled for 10/12/26 @ 6:45pm.

Human Resources/Ethics: Need to schedule interviews for Village Administrator position. Annie Kober has retired from Village Utility Clerk position. Job has been posted, but permanent hire will occur after the Village Administrator is hired. Chandler Varian will be the interim Village Utility Clerk.

Tree Commission: Mayor Hastings advised that the committee needs to schedule a meeting to create a tree plan to present to Council.

Village Solicitor: Requesting executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding hiring, termination, and pay. Possible action to follow. Solicitor Seeley has been involved with potential drainage issues on the south end of the Village. Recommended obtaining something in writing from the property owner that this issue will not happen again.

Fiscal Officer: Working on 2027 Appropriations and loan applications.

V. Mullholand moved that Council go into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding hiring, termination, and pay with possible action to follow. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Executive session began at 7:48pm.

V. Mullholand moved to return from executive session. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays. Council returned at 8:05pm

V. Mullholand moved to adjourn meeting. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays, Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm.

Brenda Kromer, Fiscal Officer
Derek Hastings, Mayor

Approved: 10/22/26