The Village of Holland police department will have some familiar faces in new positions as the new year begins.
At the December 7 meeting, council approved the promotion of Ed Marckel to sergeant, effective December 12. Sgt. Marckel will be paid $1 per hour more than his base pay rate.
The department also moved part-time officer Morgan Schumann to full-time status on December 12. She will go from a part-time hourly rate of $17.90 to $47,528 annually.
Other Business
In other business, council:
•Authorized a change order of $5,587 to Poggemeyer Design Group for the Holloway Road engineering contract. The scope of the work necessitated additional engineering and construction administration services, explained Mayor Lee Irons, adding that the project still came in under budget.
•Increased purchasing limits for administration personnel to $500 and the mayor to $7,500. Council members’ limit will remain $2,000.
Mayor Irons said village clerk/treasurer Lyn Krasula “believes this will work well.”
•Paid bills totaling $252,496 and authorized clerk/treasurer to pay bills through the end of the year upon review by the mayor.
•Heard from the mayor that Columbia Gas has submitted an application to the PUCO for new line infrastructure and upkeep. He expects residents will see a rate increase if approved.
•Learned that leaf pick up has been progressing despite mechanical issues with the village leaf machine. “We borrowed one from the township,” said Councilman Mike Bettinger.
He noted the problem seems to be with a part on the machine that has burned out twice. “The machine is fairly new,” he added.
•Received an update on abatements in the village from Council President Ryan Spangler. He said one abatement expires in 2022, and the last one is set to expire in 2025.
Mr. Spangler also reviewed rentals for 2021, noting that lodge rentals were “really down, but the community building doubled in rentals.”
Regarding the use of Clean Wood recycling, he said 151 households purchased cards to use the facility. “Going forward, we won’t be able to track numbers with the new group,” he added.
•Reviewed zoning activity in 2021. Mr. Spangler said they had 52 zoning complaints mostly pertaining to junk vehicles. Most were resolved with a warning, he added.
The village issued 12 permits, and he noted that with the exception of two parcels, the village is fully developed. He expressed appreciation to Leslie Ferman, zoning inspector. “Thank you for all your hard work.”
•Agreed to invite Fire Chief Barry Cousino to the first meeting in 2022 to provide an overview of village fire and EMS calls in 2021.
•Received an update on Happy Holland Days from Jane Maiolo of the community development committee. “The event went really well,” she said, noting that they had a sizeable turnout and students in
Penta Career Center’s cosmetology program along with their teachers were “very busy” at the library with face painting, temporary hair coloring and nail painting.
The train rides also were a big hit with youngsters, and the weather could not have been more cooperative, she added.
•Opted not to request a liquor license hearing for Speedway at Airport Highway and Holloway Road.
Canceled their last meeting in 2021, scheduled for Tuesday, December 21.
The next regular meeting of village council will be at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 4 at council chambers, 1245 Clarion Avenue, and is open to the public.
~Jane Maiolo
