WESTON—The Weston Village Council met Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and passed a string of emergency measures, including a streetlight assessment set at $22,000 and a resolution accepting tax amounts and rates set by the Budget Commission. Council also voted 4-1 to nominate Bill Barnhart to the Northwest Water and Sewer District board.


Streetlight Assessment


Streetlights, described in the minutes as a long-standing issue, took up much of the evening. The Public Works report recalled the earlier approval to replace 106 incandescent streetlights with LED fixtures, noting that some areas, particularly outside Route 235, had not been completed. A possible project to add lights on Beach, Orange and Poplar streets between Sycamore and Taylor has not progressed.

The village has contacted Victor Coleman of Toledo Edison about a possible reduction in the streetlight assessment due to the efficiency of the new lights, and he said he would pass the information to his engineering department. Councilmember Brittney Klockowski said that if work under the original grant was not completed as agreed, it should be done free of charge, while upgrades or new lights outside that grant would be a village cost.

Mayor Rick Easterwood then presented Emergency Ordinance 2026-10, covering the cost of lighting streets, alleyways and public places, including new and improved lighting projects. The Street Lighting Fund has about $29,000 in unappropriated money, and a reduction of the annual special assessment from $22,000 to $18,000 was recommended. After discussion, including a suggestion of $25,000 to cover potential improvements, council settled on $22,000.

  • Assessment set at $22,000: Warner/Klockowski, unanimous
  • Rules suspended: Klockowski/Warner, unanimous
  • Ordinance 2026-10 adopted: Klockowski/Rupp, unanimous


Water and Sewer District Nomination


Barnhart, who asked council in August to support his reappointment, was nominated after discussion. Klockowski voiced hesitation, pointing to the district’s removal of the water spigot at its maintenance facility and saying nominees seeking board seats were unaware of the removal. Easterwood said that, per earlier conversations with district officials, the spigot was taken out over cost concerns. In response to a question from Councilmember Craig Warner, it was clarified that the decision came from a different board. Councilmember Jessica Susor noted that most spigots had been removed, including the one at Obies, though locations on Route 6 and in Bowling Green remain open.

  • Motion: Nominate Bill Barnhart to the Northwest Water and Sewer District board (Warner/Rupp)
  • Vote: Approved 4-1; the minutes add that “Ms. Klockowski made no comment”


Rate Resolution, Assessments and Appropriations


Council passed three more emergency measures, each unanimously after suspending the rules:

  • Resolution 2026-11: Accepts the amounts and rates determined by the Budget Commission, authorizes the necessary tax levies and certifies them to the County Auditor (rules: Warner/Susor; adoption: Klockowski/Warner)
  • Ordinance 2026-11: A special short-term assessment on three parcels for the cost of cutting noxious weeds and grass, certified to the Wood County auditor for the tax duplicate (rules: Susor/Warner; adoption: Warner/Ackerman)
  • Ordinance 2026-12: A supplemental appropriation of $6,500 for cemetery foundations, bringing the amended appropriation to $15,250 (rules: Susor/Klockowski; adoption: Ackerman/Rupp)

Council also unanimously approved a correction to a typo in Ordinance 2026-9, the August supplemental appropriation (Klockowski/Rupp), and heard the second reading of an ordinance amending the employee wage schedule, which applies to all village employees.


Mower Questions in Public Comment


Resident Gary Betz asked about replacing the village’s aging John Deere mower. Council explained that the new zero-turn mower approved in August is being bought proactively as a backup, and the mayor said the John Deere is being kept. According to the minutes, Administrator Harold Boggs traced the older mower’s starter problem to a loose ignition wire and will fix it to run the brush or drum sweeper. On whether the new mower should be diesel or gas, the mayor said exact fuel specifications were not available and that the zero-turn style was a group compromise.


Committee Reports


Community Development

The committee is exploring a facade enhancement program similar to Bowling Green’s, which provides matching funds for public-facing downtown properties, and discussed murals on the post office and the maintenance building garage doors. Artist Jessica Ball plans to attend the next meeting. Trick-or-treat is set for October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m., coinciding with the fire station’s chicken barbecue, and a costume contest was proposed. The annual Christmas tree lighting was proposed for December 5 at 6 p.m., and a motion (Klockowski/Rupp) approving funding for an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus at $75 per half-hour was approved by roll call.

Public Works

Traffic cameras were installed on Union Street, and a motion (Warner/Klockowski) passed to have OHM apply for the ODOT safety corridor grant when it becomes available.

Public Safety

Councilmember Erica Rupp reported the new ambulance was expected by August 25, with quotes still needed for lettering and other items, and training on the MARCS system to be scheduled for all personnel.


Meeting Highlights and Minor Business


  • Attendance: Councilmember Ashley Patel was absent and excused by unanimous vote.
  • America 250 Signs: Clerk Anette Davis obtained a quote of $1,293.19 for four commemorative entrance signs; council held off for further review of the design.
  • Sidewalk Repairs: After the mayor confirmed money has been appropriated, council unanimously sent sidewalk repairs to Public Works (Warner/Klockowski), with Warner hoping to complete at least one project this year.
  • Maintenance: The administrator’s report noted a quote for resurfacing at Village Hall, cleaning and camera inspection of the fire station storm drain, relocation of the speed limit sign to Center Street and Evon Lane, and an $874.05 Sportscape quote for fencing and parts.
  • Cemetery: Tree trimming and foundation marking are underway, and 254 hours were allocated for cemetery work, deemed sufficient for the rest of the year.
  • Zoning: Inspector Ken Taylor’s report, read by the mayor, noted a chicken permit for 20210 Oak Street and photos of the mobile home at 20830 Sycamore Street sent to legal counsel.
  • Finances: Council approved bills of $311,692.01, outstanding invoices of $5,563.51 and the August bank reconciliation.

The September 21 agenda lists the final reading of the wage schedule ordinance, approval of Wood County Park District grant projects and an emergency resolution on reimbursing sales tax paid by village officials and employees.

Source: Official minutes