Forest Village Council – October 9, 2025

Village of Forest Council met in regular session on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM in council chambers.

Interim Mayor Hastings called the meeting to order with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendance:

• Derek Hastings – present
• Mary Dickinson – present
• Loretta Perkins – present
• Suzanne Shark – present
• Jerrie Whitling – present
• Valerie Mullholand – present

Approval of Agenda for October 9, 2025:

M. Dickinson moved to approve agenda. J. Whitling seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. Agenda approved.

Approval/Corrections of Minutes:

J. Whitling moved to approve minutes from 9/25/25 council meeting. L. Perkins seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. Minutes approved.

Bills:

V. Mullholand moved to approve the payment of bills. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. Payment of bills approved.

Citizen’s Comments: None

Old Business:

Scooter Ordinance 2025-07 3rd Reading. S. Shark moved to pass Ordinance 2025-07. J. Whitling seconded. Vote: 4 yeas- S. Shark, J. Whitling, M. Dickinson, V. Mullholand 1 nay – L. Perkins. Ordinance passed.

Ordinance 2025-06 Amending and Restating Rules and Regulations for Park 2nd reading was completed.

New Business:

Resolution 2025-15 accepting the amounts and rates as determined the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. V. Mullholand moved to pass the resolution. J. Whitling seconded. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. Resolution accepted.

Committee Reports

Mayor: Has started the inspection process and sent out the letters today for 2 nuisance properties.

Finance: Continue to work on budget for 2026. Discussed cost of living increases to include in budget and review distribution of salary funds. Focus needs to be reducing spending and increasing income. Next committee meeting will be I 0/23/25 @ 6pm.

Safety: Committee met on 9/30/25. Discussed the open burn policy. Solicitor A. Tudor looking into some information. Fire Chief has been assisting as well.

Police Chief: Introduced new part time officer, Luke Risner. Chief Kromer updated on monthly statistics- 277 calls for service received, 16 traffic citations and 7 criminal arrest/citations. The average speed over the limit was 20mph.

Fire Chief: None

Ambulance Board: None

Service: Committee met on I 0/6/25. Solicitor A. Tudor attended as well. Committee reviewed and recommends the solid waste ordinance be updated. Currently working with A. Tudor on this. Committee had discussion on compost pile issues. The compost pile has increased and there have been out of towners utilizing the pile. A lock will be installed and residents will need to show proof of Forest residency and obtain a key from the Village office. Possible drafting ordinance to address compost issues. There are no maps of all storm sewers. Wessler quoted $24500 to map and would reduce to $14500 if we had a worker assist. Committee agreed this was a project that does need completed. However, with current expenses on water and sewer issues, this was felt not financially feasible. Project will be reviewed with 2026 budget. Property owner will be contacted to see if resident will give the Village of Forest first right of refusal if they go to sell this property. A. Tudor will not be able to continue as solicitor if elected as Judge. A. Tudor has two recommendations for this position. Committee still need to meet with Tree Commission. Scheduled next meeting for 10/15/25 @4:30pm

Administrator: Trash contract and CDL ordinance are being reviewed by solicitor. Sensor issue with water resin tanks should be fixed within a week. Water meters continue to be worked on. Meter supplier will be here next week. Still working on well projects with progress being made on funding. Hydrant flushing will begin next week. Potholes continue to be patched around town. Will be completing a leaf pick up schedule soon. The skid steer and backhoe have been sent out for repairs. Working with Wessler for sewer funding opportunities. Met with funding agencies today and will be getting figures within the next month or so. Continuing to finish up projects. Utility billing/shut off notifications has been changed. A delinquent letter is sent if not paid by the due date. If still unpaid after the second due date, a notice will be placed at the residence to give them 24 hours shut off notice.

Park Board: Next meeting is 10/12/25@ 9:30am. Fiscal Officer B. Kromer will be attending to discuss budget. Leaves are starting to fall and will need addressed shortly. Splash Pad is ready for repairs to be completed. The lighting project poles have been ordered and waiting on delivery.

Market Square: Fall Fest will be held on October 18, 2025 from l-5pm. There will be road closures and has been communicated with ODOT. There will be 18 vendors and free kids’ activities from sponsors and grants. Tree Town Christmas is the next large event being planned. There will be decorations downtown mainly, but there will be some at the park as well. Angie Miller expressed concern with an incident she had this week at Market Square. Angie advised that they had a food truck scheduled for their normal Tuesday, but since there was rain, it was moved to Wednesday. Angie advised that the vendor and herself were contacted about who had given permission for the food truck. Angie expressed she has stopped all Take Out Tuesday events at this time. She requested clarification on the permissibility of food trucks. Council advised that Market Square has the authority to schedule food trucks and on public space. There is no ordinance stating otherwise. There was discussion if Market Square committee needs to be approved by council to make decisions. Sending to Service committee to review.

CIC: Next meeting 10/15/25 12pm at library. Tree Town Christmas will be scheduling time to go thru Christmas decorations sorting and scheduling set up date. J.Rinehammer still needs to get the permits from AEP for the banners/decorations downtown. Banner project for veterans still going on.

Economic Development: Scheduled meeting for 10/15/25 @ 5 :30pm.

Zoning/Zoning Board of Appeals: Update from 10/6/25 meeting- 2 residences for abatement process has been initiated.

Human Resources: Have been discussing the need for defining disciplinary policy and forms. Scheduled meeting for 10/15/25 @ 6:30pm.

Village Solicitor: A. Tudor has items to complete. He will be bringing a possible replacement for his position at the next council meeting.

Fiscal Officer: Still scheduled for Muni Link live date 12/10/25. Met with processing providers and will make a selection next week. Continuing to assist with meter and billing issues. Lots of progress is being made. Continuing to focus on 2026 budget.

V. Mullholand moved to adjourn meeting. S. Shark second. Vote: all yeas (4). J Whitling had to leave early due to an emergency. No nays. Meeting adjourned @ 8:05pm.