WESTON — The Weston Village Council met on March 2, 2026, to tackle a heavy agenda ranging from a critical funding deadline to a sudden spike in local utility costs. Mayor Rick Easterwood and the council spent much of the evening deliberating on how to best protect the village’s financial interests while addressing immediate infrastructure needs.
The State Capital Budget Ticking Clock
A major focus of the meeting was the state capital budget and the redirection of approximately $60,000 in total available funding, which must be finalized by March 12, 2026. These funds, originally tied to projects like a splash pad and historical signage that are no longer moving forward, are reimbursement-based grants. Fiscal Officer Stephanie Monts cautioned that she was unsure if the general fund could support the initial expense before being paid back, as she has not yet received updated revenue figures.
The debate grew contentious in the latter half of the meeting as members weighed the risks. Erica Rupp and Ashley Patel expressed skepticism, suggesting the village already has enough on its plate and questioning if the proposed projects would even be covered under state criteria. Patel initially put forward a motion to deny the capital project and return the funds immediately, but the motion was left on the floor after failing to receive a second. Conversely, more optimistic members argued that since there is no obligation to accept the grant money even after reallocation, the village has nothing to lose by trying.
The council eventually moved on a "tiered" plan: first, apply for cybersecurity; if that is ineligible, pivot to the Washington Street flooding issue; and if neither qualifies, formally release the funds. This led to a deadlocked tie vote. Craig Warner, Jessica Susor, and Brittney Klockowski voted "Yes," while Erica Rupp, Ashley Patel, and—after some visible hesitation—Travis Ackerman voted "No". Addressing the split, Mayor Easterwood noted the valid concerns regarding reimbursement and project eligibility but ultimately broke the tie with a "Yes" vote to pursue the funding. Brittney Klockowski was appointed as the point person to handle the state's inquiries.
Vandalism and Maintenance at the Park
The village is also dealing with a recent act of vandalism at the basketball courts, where a backboard was shattered. Administrator Harold Boggs reported that the damage was caused by juveniles, and the village is working with the Wood County Sheriff’s Department to resolve the matter. One parent has already expressed a willingness to cooperate with the village.
The incident sparked a technical discussion on equipment durability. Mayor Easterwood expressed surprise that the backboards were tempered glass instead of more resilient plexiglass. Boggs is currently seeking quotes for plexiglass replacements to prevent a recurrence. Council moved the discussion to the Administrative Process committee to decide if the other remaining glass boards should also be replaced as a preventative measure.
The Washington Street Condition
Washington Street’s condition was another major focus of the meeting. During the discussion, Mayor Easterwood asked if the potholes were "big enough to swallow a car". Administrator Boggs confirmed the situation was bad, describing the holes as "pretty good size". Zoning Inspector Ken Taylor added that "you can’t drive a straight line without hitting" a pothole. While the "swallow a car" description was acknowledged as a bit overstated, council members agreed it was understandable given the road's current trajectory and structural inadequacy.
Council weighed using concrete for a more permanent fix, but maintenance experts cautioned that mixing different materials could lead to even larger breaks in the asphalt. Instead, the council discussed a more robust strategy involving hot patches or stone layering to manage moisture. The long-term goal remains a rebuild of the street’s drainage and pavement, and the issue has been referred to the Public Works committee to establish a more definitive repair plan.
Personnel and Conduct Decisions
In a significant personnel move near the end of the meeting, the council addressed the removal of Howard Lashuay from his role with Parks and Recreation. Mayor Easterwood informed the council that while he has the executive authority to appoint and recommend the release of individuals, council must vote to confirm such a decision.
The decision was linked to ongoing behavior issues that had been communicated previously. Mayor Easterwood stated that the move was necessary to ensure the professional operation of village committees. Council ultimately voted to approve the Mayor’s ruling to release Lashuay from his position, formalizing the action following a letter that had already been sent.
Suburban Gas Price Shock
The "Miscellaneous Business" portion of the meeting was dominated by a sharp increase in natural gas prices affecting Weston residents. Council members reported that some citizens have seen their bills triple. While a rate hike is part of the cause—rising from $0.65 to $1.07 per cubic foot—there are also reports of widespread "estimated" readings that may be significantly inaccurate.
Council discussed reports from neighboring Grand Rapids, where residents were reportedly told to hold off on payments while the readings were investigated. In Weston, Suburban Gas is reportedly offering a 12-month payment plan to help residents cope with the surge. The village plans to look into the legality of these sudden hikes and whether any aggregation options exist for the future.
Additional Council Actions and Updates
- Clerk Position: Following a vacancy, Council approved advertising for a new clerk in the local paper.
- EMS Pagers: The Fire Department is seeking three new "G5" pagers for EMT students, as there are currently no spares available.
- Digital Training: A mandatory training session for Council members to learn the village’s Google Drive and iPad system was scheduled for March 12 at 6:00 PM.
- Green Infrastructure: Talks continue with the Delta Institute and Stantec regarding a pilot program for green infrastructure, such as bioswales, at the library parking lot.
- Zoning Enforcement: Letters will be sent to property owners regarding inoperable vehicles and trash accumulation.
- Seasonal Help: Council approved hiring seasonal assistance for maintenance and cemetery work.
- Snow Removal Fees: A proposal was made to move to a sliding fee scale for village-performed snow removal on private sidewalks.
- Grant Writing: Following the resignation of the village's grant writer, the topic was moved to the Administrative Process committee.
Upcoming Meetings:
- Parks & Rec: March 4 at 6:00 PM
- Cemetery: March 5 at 6:00 PM
- Administrative Process: March 9 at 6:00 PM
- Community Development & Public Affairs: March 17 at 5:30 PM
- Safety: March 23 at 6:00 PM
- Public Works: March 24 at 6:00 PM