WESTON—The Weston Village Council met Monday, August 17, 2026, and voted unanimously to apply for an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant on a larger $260,000 Washington Street and Brook Lane project, while also authorizing the village to take part in the Wood County Park District’s grant program and choosing the first items for that application.


OPWC Grant for Washington Street and Brook Lane


Councilmember Craig Warner added the Washington Street OPWC project to the agenda after a new estimate came in well above earlier figures. The village had been working from a quote of about $173,000, an amount council discussed possibly paying for outright if the grant did not come through. The updated figure discussed at the meeting was $260,000 for a version that includes a full rebuild of Washington Street along with paving on Brook Lane.

Under that option, the grant would cover $130,000 of the cost. That share is still below the $173,000 council had considered funding on its own. Some members said they still wanted to know exactly what is included in the new prices, and it was noted that if the grant is not awarded, council would reconvene to decide next steps. Councilmember Jessica Susor made the motion.

  • Motion: Apply for the OPWC grant at $260,000, pursuing the highest option for maximum benefit (Susor/Warner)
  • Vote: Approved unanimously by roll call


Wood County Park District Grant


Council passed Emergency Resolution 2026-10, authorizing the village to participate in the Wood County Park District grant program. When questions arose about what the village would be applying for, Susor noted that the resolution only authorizes participation in the application process.

Council then discussed possible projects, including a broken swivel seat with failed bearings at Merrill Park, mulch, a net for the pickleball courts, stone for the walking path and a bathroom at Alumni Park. A base-model vault bathroom was quoted at $97,000. The application deadline is in October, allowing time to gather quotes before the next council meeting.

  • Resolution 2026-10: Rules suspended (Klockowski/Susor) and resolution adopted (Klockowski/Rupp), both unanimously
  • Mulch and stone: Unanimous vote to include both in the application (Warner/Susor)
  • Other park items: Park equipment, the broken swivel seat, swings and other miscellaneous items sent to the Community Development committee for consideration (Susor/Klockowski, unanimous)

During public comment, Ron Dallas, attending online, suggested bird netting behind the pickleball courts as a durable, less expensive option.


Curb Work and Mower Purchase


Mayor Rick Easterwood reported that Helms and Son and OHM had amended their estimate for curb replacement in the current OPWC project to level storms and catch basins and replace damaged sections up to the next joint. The change adds about $1,800, which OHM verified meets OPWC and SIB qualifications. According to the minutes, the total additional cost for the curb and catch basin work is $4,300, offset by a $5,900 credit. Council unanimously authorized the additional $1,800 (Klockowski/Patel).

Council also passed Emergency Ordinance 2026-9, a supplemental appropriation raising the machinery and furniture line from $5,000 to $18,000, an increase of $13,000, to buy a John Deere zero-turn mower. Councilmember Brittney Klockowski noted for the record that the quote expires 30 days after it was issued. Both the rules suspension and the ordinance passed unanimously (Warner/Susor).


Northwest Water and Sewer District Seat


Bill Barnhart asked council to support his reappointment as the village’s representative on the Northwest Water and Sewer District board. “I’ve actually been the board representative on the Northwest Water and Sewer District Board for the last six years,” he said. Barnhart described retirements at the district’s executive level, including the president and head engineer, and said the next major project in the village is a retention basin at the sewage treatment plant. “That just kind of helps with overflows when you have real wet weather,” he said.

He also noted that Northwood, Grand Rapids and several Hancock County townships have joined the district. The mayor and council expressed support, and the clerk was asked to watch for the district’s nomination ballot, which the village had not yet received.


Holiday Events and Village Hall Blacktop


With no parks board or commission currently in place, council voted unanimously to send the tree lighting, trick-or-treat and the fire department’s Easter egg hunt to the Community Development committee (Susor/Klockowski). “I didn’t want them to fall through the cracks,” Susor said. Trick-or-treat will be coordinated with the fire department on October 31, the same day as the department’s chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; trick-or-treat hours of 6 to 8 p.m. were mentioned during the discussion.

Susor also raised the breaking edges of the Village Hall blacktop, which was noted in last year’s building inspection. Council unanimously sent the matter to Public Works for discussion of potential milling and reconstruction (Susor/Klockowski). The degradation was attributed to the removal of an island left from when the site was a gas station.


Meeting Highlights and Minor Business


  • Sycamore Street Nuisance: Zoning Inspector Ken Taylor gave an update on the vacant mobile home at 20830 Sycamore Street, held by CM Precision Properties, which Council declared a nuisance on August 3 after it lost its legal non-conforming status.
  • Website Platform: Administrative Process heard a presentation from OJ Tech on a new village website with online permits, quoted at about $1,000 per year plus a one-time $150 setup fee.
  • Sheriff Hours: The village did not see sufficient benefit to increasing sheriff’s department hours at this time and will continue promoting the department’s non-emergency number.
  • Records Retention: The Records Commission reviewed updates to the retention schedule to align with the state model, including keeping meeting audio and video recordings for one year.
  • Tree Ordinance: The Tree Commission reviewed edits to a draft tree ordinance, including a “nuisance tree” definition and a $1,000 minimum fine for damages; the draft returns to Legal Counsel Paul Skaff for review.
  • Wage Schedule: First reading of an ordinance amending the wage schedule for a part-time maintenance position, to a $16 to $20 hourly range.
  • Finances: Council approved bills of $34,710.83, outstanding invoices of $18,486.23 and the July bank reconciliation.
  • Post Office: Councilmember Ashley Patel said residents with complaints about the postmaster can file them at USPS.com with the date, time and details. “It’s just not in our hands,” she said.

Source: Official minutes · Meeting video