WESTON—Weston Village Council on September 21 gave final approval to a new employee wage schedule, adopted a state-mandated sales tax reimbursement policy and voted to board up a vacant house on Russ Street, according to the meeting minutes. A decision on cybersecurity services estimated at about $20,000 a year was pushed to October.


Wage Schedule Gets Final Approval


Council approved Ordinance 2026-13 unanimously on its final reading after a brief discussion, the minutes say. The ordinance replaces the wage schedule adopted in Ordinance 2025-22 and sets these pay ranges:

  • Village Administrator: $55,000 a year, salaried, benefit-eligible, 40 hours a week
  • Fiscal Officer: $30,000 a year, salaried, not benefit-eligible
  • Clerk: $22 to $24 an hour, part-time
  • Part-Time Maintenance Worker: $16 to $20 an hour
  • Code Enforcement Officer: $375 a month stipend
  • Cemetery Sexton: $8,000 a year, salaried, not benefit-eligible; the position may be assigned to the village administrator, combining both salaries
  • Cemetery Maintenance: $16 an hour, seasonal from April 1 to October 31

Current employees keep their existing pay rates, including prior increases, and those rates cannot be reduced by the new schedule, according to the ordinance. Future adjustments must be recorded on a form signed by both the employee and the village, cannot be applied retroactively and take effect at the start of the next full pay period.


Sales Tax Reimbursement Policy


Council suspended the rules and adopted Resolution 2026-12 as an emergency, both by unanimous roll call. According to the minutes, Paul Skaff provided an Ohio Auditor of State bulletin on sales tax reimbursement and prepared the policy and resolution. The policy clarifies when the village’s tax-exempt status can be used and sets procedures for reimbursing officials or employees who use personal funds for authorized village purchases and pay sales tax. Fiscal Officer Stephanie Monts will review other village policies for consistency, the minutes say.


Vacant Russ Street House to Be Boarded Up


Code enforcement officer Ken Taylor reported on the vacant property at 20524 Russ Street. According to the minutes, Taylor said his research into court records indicated a default judgment, which would leave any village action at village expense with no way to recover the cost through taxes. Council discussed liability, past losses on similar nuisance properties, whether to demolish or board up the house and a possible partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build a new home on the site. Councilmember Craig Warner moved to board up the property at an estimated material cost of about $1,000, and the motion passed unanimously.

Taylor also reported that notices went out September 9 about grass, trash and boulevard issues; that a property owner on Locust Street will need a variance to replace a front porch with a deck, which the zoning code does not currently address; and that siding removal has slowed on the Sycamore Street mobile home council declared a nuisance in August (August coverage).


Cybersecurity Decision Delayed


Reporting for the Administrative Process committee’s September 14 meeting, Warner said the committee heard from Arron Sherman of EK Computers and reviewed several quotes for computer and cybersecurity services. Members raised concerns about the roughly $20,000 annual cost, the need to justify it to taxpayers and whether the requirements fit a village of Weston’s size, according to the minutes. Mayor Rick Easterwood said cybersecurity compliance is a state requirement and that the services would also help the village digitize records, move to a .gov domain and update outdated equipment. The committee will gather more quotes, and council plans to revisit the issue at its second meeting in October. Council adopted a cybersecurity policy in June (June 1 coverage).


Mural, Park Grant and Playground Barriers


The Community Development and Public Affairs committee reported on a proposed garage door mural by local artist Jessica Ball, funded through the village’s $1,545 beautification grant. The committee favored the Main Street garage doors for visibility and discussed design ideas including the train station, the silo, the Otsego Knights and “Welcome to Weston.” Council voted unanimously to pay 50% up front for materials, with Monts handling the contract.

For the Wood County Park District grant, due October 16, council agreed to apply for mulch and fine stone for the park walking path to control weeds and fill low areas. Because the August 17 vote covered only mulch, council unanimously amended the motion to add the stone. Council also sent the question of replacing damaged playground mulch barriers, priced at $25.99 to $28.99 per piece, to the community development committee along with other park equipment.


Other Business


  • Guest speaker: Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman described the court’s mental health, addiction and job-training programs, including training that has led participants to jobs at the Meta site, and said the programs are benefiting Weston residents.
  • Zoning: Council voted 5–1, with Councilmember Travis Ackerman abstaining, to add a Planning Commission recommendation amending the commercial district zoning to the agenda for a first reading (zoning coverage).
  • Streetlights: Administrator Harold Boggs counted 92 streetlights, while the purchase order records 97. The village is waiting to hear whether the missing lights on the east side of Taylor Street will be installed at no charge under the grant.
  • Cemetery truck: The Cemetery Board asked to repair its S10 truck. Boggs said a new village truck could let the current vehicle move to the cemetery and the S10 be retired, pending more information.
  • Halloween: Easterwood said the fire department plans a costume contest at the fire station alongside its chicken barbecue and would cancel or scale back if other groups organize similar events.
  • Parks advisory board: Resident Jerry Mohler asked about the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board after seeing a sign showing zero members. The mayor said the board would work with the administrator on park equipment, grants, a possible ADA-compliant park upgrade and events.
  • Bills: Council approved $35,498.47 in bills and $6,749.93 in outstanding invoices, and $141 for fiscal officer training.


The wage ordinance received its first reading on August 17 (August 17 coverage) and its second reading on September 8 (September 8 coverage). Council created the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission in July (July 20 coverage).


Sources: Sept. 21 council minutes · Ordinance 2026-13 · Resolution 2026-12 · Sept. 21 council agenda