Fulton County Ohio Media

With school about to begin, the agreement below will be applied to all seven school districts in Fulton County.

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS’ COMMON OPENING AGREEMENT 2021-22

In collaboration with the Fulton County Health Department, our schools want to provide updated information on current plans for the start of the 2021-22 school year. Once again, we will be offering in-person instruction in accordance with our district calendars prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff. Due to emerging concerns with the Delta variant, these guidelines and recommendations are subject to change.

These general principles will guide each school district as they move forward with opening schools throughout Fulton County:

1. Each school district will continue safety protocols
2. Each school district will work closely with the Fulton County Health Department to promote safety in each school building.
3. Daily Health Assessments: Students and personnel are recommended to take their own temperature before reporting to school and to stay home if above 100.4F or if experiencing other symptoms.
4. Each school district will be transparent with all stakeholders that some level of risk will always be present when children and school district employees occupy school district facilities.
5. School districts recognize the need for consistency in areas of operations while recognizing that individual differences in classroom sizes, school facilities, and building operations may lead to some inconsistencies.

These principles will be common to all Fulton County public school districts:

Communications when a student/staff member has been diagnosed with a COVID 19 positive case.

In instances of positive cases, each district will communicate with the appropriate parties:

○ Communication will be shared per Health Department protocol. ○ The school district will cooperate with the Health Department’s work in contact tracing and quarantine requirements.

○ The Fulton County Health Department, consistent with statewide protocols, will define what is considered “exposure” to COVID 19.

● Anyone who has been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 does NOT have to quarantine if they are exposed unless they are symptomatic.

● Any unvaccinated individuals wearing a mask and socially distanced at least three feet would not be subject to quarantine. ● Quarantine measures are still in place at the discretion of the health department for those who are unvaccinated and unmasked within six (6) feet for fifteen (15) or more accumulated minutes of someone with COVID-19. Food Service.

● All districts will offer food service. Logistics will be determined by each district and school building in order to maximize social distancing.

○ Students will be encouraged to sanitize their hands before and after lunch. ○ Cafeterias will be sanitized between lunch periods.

Classroom Occupancy.

● Safety protocols are in place but any student who attends school will incur some level of risk. Districts will decrease the likelihood of infection with hygiene, cleaning, and safety procedures.

● Students will be encouraged to sanitize their hands regularly.

● Classroom occupancy will be determined based on each individual circumstance with the maximum amount of safety considerations possible.

Face Coverings:

● Face coverings are strongly recommended and encouraged for unvaccinated students and staff. Face coverings may become required due to increased risk of COVID-19 in our community.

● Under current federal orders and accompanying guidance, students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses, whether vaccinated or not, until September 13, 2021, at which time the order may end or possibly be extended.

● Any unvaccinated individuals wearing a mask and socially distanced at least three feet would not be subject to quarantine.

Visitors/Volunteers:

● There are different levels of school visitors, and each district will make decisions for each situation.

○ Visitors are discouraged from being in school district facilities during school hours. ○ Safety precautions will be implemented for all visitors.

Transportation:

● Fulton County districts will allow two students per seat and in some instances three students if the children are younger and therefore smaller. ● Districts may attempt to seat siblings together. ● Seating charts are recommended to assist with contact tracing.

● Under current federal orders and accompanying guidance, students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses, whether vaccinated or not, until September 13, 2021, at which time the order may end or possibly be extended. Start and End of School Day.

● Measures may be taken to prevent students from congregating before and after school.

The Fulton County Schools’ Common Opening Agreement is subject to change throughout the school year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Jayson Selgo, Superintendent – Archbold Area Schools

Mr. Eric Smola, Superintendent – Evergreen Local Schools

Dr. Angela Belcher, Superintendent – Fayette Local School District Mr. Josh Clark, Superintendent – Pettisville Schools

Dr. Ted Haselman, Superintendent – PDY Local School District

Mr. Chris Lake, Superintendent – Swanton Local School District

Mr. Troy Armstrong, Superintendent – Wauseon Exempted Village School District

Mrs. Kim Cupp, RS, MPH, Health Commissioner – Fulton County Health Department

Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle reported to the Swanton Village Council at their August 9^th meeting the Safe Routes to School Project is nearing completion.  The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs aim to reduce automobile dependency by promoting safe walking and biking to school for children across the country and to encourage active transportation of its students.  The planning for the Swanton SRTS began with the planning stages approximately four years ago and funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation for $402,000 was approved in 2018.

Construction began earlier this year with sidewalks installed on Crestwood, Elton Parkway, Harding and Church Streets.  Also recently installed were the Z-gates at the Norfolk Southern Railway crossing on Main Street.  The Z-gates have been designed to make pedestrians and bicyclists more aware of the railroad tracks.

In legislation news, the First Reading of Resolution 2021-XX, authorizing the Village Administrator to participate in the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program and to enter into any agreement as required was approved.  Grant funds will be targeted for the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) design ($250,000 max award) and construction projects ($5M max award.  Matching funds from the Village will improve the chances to obtain the grant funding.

In personnel news, Council approved the hiring of Nathan Keil as a member of the Swanton Fire and Rescue Division effective August 22, 2021 at an hourly rate of $15.20 contingent on successful completion of drug screening, background check and psychological exam. 

Also approved by Council was the hiring of Katelyn Saunders as a part-time community development assistant up to 20 hours per week at a rate of $15.25 per hour pending clear pre-employment drug check and subject to a six-month probationary period effective August 23, 2021.

In other personnel action, a motion was made to terminate the employment of Steven Geise, Superintendent of the Water Resource Recovery Facility, effective August 9, 2021.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The next Council meeting will take place on August 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Swanton Municipal Offices at 219 Chestnut Street.

Pictured:  Z-gates for the Safe Routes to School Project

In appreciation for the wonderful support local businesses have given to the Swanton Lions Club over the years, the Lions chose to return the favor this year by purchasing gift cards/certificates from 16 different small businesses and raffling them off in the community.  Joe Kahl, a founding member of the Club, presented the idea to the members as a way to help local businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The businesses were comprised of restaurants, retail shops, and sports and entertainment venues.

The drawing was held on the evening of the Swanton Corn Festival during the concert and the winning tickets were drawn by the lead singer of that night’s featured band, “Stirred Not Shaken”.  The winners were as follows:

First Prize: Mark Jones of Delta (Mail Pouch Saloon-$100, Younique Boutique-$100, White Pines Golf Club-$50, Benfield Wines-$50, CK Sweets-$50, Tano’s Pizza-$50, Doodle Bean Coffee-$50, Posh Pallet Boutique-$50)

Second Prize: Jennifer Salyers of Swanton (KO’s Chinese Restaurant-$100, Valleywood Golf Club-$50, Pisanello’s Pizza-$50, Swanton Sports Center-$50, Benfield Wines-$50)

Third Prize: Candy Smith of Toledo (Wings Station-$50, Sew Beyond Blessed-$50, Old El Camino-$50, Fessenden’s Hardware-$50)

The Swanton Lions Club would like to thank all who supported this raffle and, in turn, supported the Swanton business community. Their next Lions community event will be the annual “Halloween Hoopla” on Saturday, October 30, 2021 on Main Street in Downtown Swanton.

In April of this year, Mark Foertmeyer of Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse spoke before the Swanton Village Council during public hearing to dispute a monthly storm water utility charge that was initially increased from $3.00 to $589.89 after it was discovered the business was mistakenly being charged the standard residential rate instead of the calculated commercial rate.  The new rate was based on a survey of the Foertmeyer property which found over 168,000 square feet of impervious area (structures, parking lots, roadways) and the assumption was made that all the rainfall drained into the Village’s storm water system.  Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle was allowed to grant the greenhouse a maximum 30% discount to lower the charge to $412.92 but not as low as Mr. Foertmeyer believed was fair.

According to Mr. Foertmeyer, the method the Village used to calculate the impervious area was basically using measurements taken from a Google Maps photo of the property and not an actual survey to determine the flow of the water.  “I think if we can come up with a number that is accurate then we will have a fair assessment,” he said.  “If we can take the time to find a correct number, I think we can certainly move together and do what we need to do to finance the sewer system.”  He agreed to have a more thorough survey done and provide the Village with those findings.  The Council agreed there should be more research on the matter and future payments would be halted until the issue was resolved.

At the August 9^th Council meeting, Councilman Dave Pilliod said he wanted to see some movement on the issue since Foertmeyer had yet to provide the Village any survey information and was still not paying any storm water fees.  “I propose to Council tonight that we begin to bill them $200 a month.  Then, if they object to that, we will certainly look at all the facts they have acquired and bring to us,” said Mr. Pilliod.  “But I think it’s unfair for them not to be paying anything until we get this resolved.”  After Mr. Pilliod suggested charging Foertmeyer at 33% the original calculated rate, Councilman Craig Rose recommended the number be increased to 50%, approximately $295. 

Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle told the Council that Foertmeyer had recently informed her that they received a (storm water) flow map from Natural Resource Management, LLC.  She recommended the Village hire an engineering consulting firm, one which with they are familiar, and have them study it to see if they agree with the data.

A motion to start billing Foertmeyer & Sons $294.50 per month in September was approved.  The Council agreed to that the charge would be adjusted once all the numbers and been received and verified.

Pictured:  Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse on Hallet Ave

A Master Plan Presentation of detailed findings of an investigation of Swanton’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) was presented to the Village Council during their August 9^th meeting by representative of Fishbeck, a firm of Engineers, Architects, Scientists and Constructors.  An overview of the scope of the investigation showed that The Village owns and operates a collection system consisting of approximately 34,000 lineal feet of combined sewers with 135 manholes as well as approximately 106,000 lineal feet of sanitary sewer with 452 manholes. The collection system directs combined and sanitary sewage to the WRRF, which utilizes two biological treatment processes to treat a maximum of 2.76 million gallons per day (MGD) prior to discharge to Ai Creek.  The original WRRF was constructed in 1956 with major expansions taking place in 1972 and 2010.

The reason for the investigation was explained in the Introduction of a 57-page report provided to the Village.  The Introduction stated, in part:  In July of 2020, the Village of Swanton (Village) solicited proposals for professional engineering services to assist the Village with implementation of influent screening improvements. During the solicitation process the Village determined that a broader investigation of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) was warranted. As such, the Village elected to prepare a Master Plan for the WRRF. This report provides the requested master planning for the facility.  The Master Plan for the WRRF was developed based on the following tasks:  Data Collection and Review, Staff Interviews, Condition Evaluation and Alternatives Development.

The report recommended upgrades that could take place, mainly within five years but also out as far as 50 years.  The Five-Year Improvement Plan would include:  Screening/Headworks Improvements, Stormwater Retention Lagoon Refurbishment and LC-2 Replacement, Phosphorus Removal Building Eyewash Station, Concrete Restoration and Power Distribution, LC-5 Tertiary Building and Chlorine Contact Tank, LC-6 Primary Tanks and Digester, LC-7 and LC-8 Chemical and Control Buildings. 

The estimated cost for the Five-Year plan is $11,683,745 with approximately 50% of the total coming very early in the project.  Funding options were discussed and Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle will be applying for grants through Fulton County and the State of Ohio.  The Village will also be expected to cover a portion of the overall costs. No decision was made on whether to implement some or all of the recommended upgrades or when the project might begin.

Pictured:  Swanton Waster Water Treatment Plant

https://photos.app.goo.gl/58tGpv2CA6TWdWz57

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Just a few photos to get ready for the upcoming season. Click on the link above to access and view or download any or all photos for FREE.

After helping to lead the Swanton Lady Bulldogs bowling team to unprecedented heights during the 2020-2021 high school bowling season, Hannah Patch has decided to continue her education and bowling career at Siena Heights University (SHU) in Adrian, Michigan.  Her original post-high school plans had her attending the University of Toledo but that all changed when she was contacted by SHU with an offer to keep bowling while in college.

Hannah began bowling at the age of eight and progressively improved every year, finishing with an outstanding senior season for the Lady Bulldogs.  Swanton finished the Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) regular season in second place behind the defending state champion Bryan Lady Golden Bears.  However, in the NWOAL Tournament, the Bulldogs put it all together and defeated everyone, including the Bears in their home alley to capture Tournament Championship.

In the Sectional Tournament held in Napoleon the following week, Hannah put on a clinic, rolling a career high 623 three-game series, finishing second overall as an individual and leading the Lady Bulldogs to a second-place finish to advance to the District Tournament in Findlay.

Hannah gives a lot of credit for her development and success to her high school coaches, the father-daughter duo of Nick and Ashtin Staler.  Thanks to the excellent coaching and her dedication to the sport, she will be moving on to the next level, bowling for the Siena Heights University Saints.

The Swanton Bulldog golf team continued its hot start to the 2021 season, shooting a 327, as they finished in third place in the 14-team Paulding Golf Invitational held on Thursday at Auglaize Golf Course in Defiance.  Senior Garret Swank fired a personal best 72 to finish at even par and garner runner-up medalist honors, just one stroke behind Kalida Wildcat Ryan Klausing’s 71.   Sam Betz, also a senior, was second on the team with an 82, followed by Ryan O’Shea (86) and Mazin Rukeih (87).

Swanton was grouped with fellow NWOAL foes and perineal golf powers Archbold, Bryan and Wauseon to make it an intensely competitive matchup.  The Bryan Golden Bears shot a 312 to tie Kalida for the day’s top score but finished second based on the fifth golfer’s score used as a tiebreaker.  The Wildcats fifth golfer shot a 91 and Bryan’s fifth man had a 118.

The Wauseon Indians got a 340-stroke total from their top four scorers Andy Scherer (73), Jackson Gleckler (77), Mykale Schneider (89) and Zach Puehler (101) and finished in fifth place.  The Archbold Blue Streaks came in ninth place with a score of 364.  Cahle Roth shot a 72 to tie Swank for runner-up medalist honors and was followed by Luke Rosebook (78), River Ryan (104) and Mason Bickle (110). 

Heading into the third week of the season, the Bulldogs are carrying an impressive 29-11 record.

Pictured:  Garret Swank (left) and Sam Betz.  (Photo courtesy of Swank Photography)

Kim Newborn, who lives with her husband on the east side of County Road 6-2, adjacent to the Southwood Falls subdivision within the Delta corporation limits, spoke before the Village Council during their first August meeting about flooding on her property due to recent construction on Glacier Lane in the subdivision. 

Ms. Newborn contends that the builder, Keith Marchs, built a home on top of a storm drain on Lot #4 and did not compensate for the change in water flow by rerouting the water with proper drainage.  “We did contact Keith and he said, ‘No one would say that this is my fault,’ and hung up on us,” related Ms. Newborn. 

According to Ms. Newborn, the lack of drainage created flooding on Lot #6 which those home owners partially alleviated by adding 12” of fill dirt to their property.  “That’s when our yard started to flood,” she explained and said that her neighbors planned to add more dirt until the flooding stopped completely.

Village Administrator Brad Peebles then interjected to address the issue.  “I am very well aware of this.  Mr. Marchs has been sent a letter.  He has been given a time frame to respond.  His time frame is up this week,” he said.  “I’ve spoken with Keith.  I concur with you that he believes that he is not obligated.  At that point the law director and I will address it with him.  He is obligated.  He is required to fix it.  With regards to the buried catch basin, there is nothing that says he can’t reconnect those low spots to it.  It’s very much accessible.  It’s very much fixable.  We need to push Mr. Marchs to do it and we plan to.”  Mr. Peebles did say that the Village would pursue the issue and it might involve the legal system.

In legislative news, the Third and Final Reading of Resolution 21-09, authorizing the Village Administrator to enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio Department of Natural (ODNR) for a cooperative fishing agreement was approved.  The Third and Final Reading of Resolution 21-10, declaring it necessary to renew an existing levy for the police department pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) sections 5705.19(H) and 5705.25 requesting the auditor to certify the amount of revenue to be generated by the proposed levy was also approved.

Emergency Resolution 21-12, establishing Fund 207, was passed.  Due to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 that was signed into law by the President of the United States on March 11, 2021 it is required the Fund be established specifically for the management of funds the Village of Delta receives from the Ohio of Budget and management.

Stated in Mr. Peeble’s Administrator’s Report, the Village retained the services of Aqua Line to perform a leak evaluation of the entire Village to investigate unmetered water loss.  Aqua Line found seven leaks with four of those considered to be major and accounting for 1,100,000 lost gallons per month in total.  The leaks are being scheduled for repair with the most significant leaks addressed first.  The Palmwood leak is in the center of the street and will require excavation of the pavement.

The next Council meeting will be on August 16, 2021 at 5:30 PM in Memorial Hall.

Pictured:  Kim Newborn addresses Council members concerning flooded property