Fulton County Ohio Media

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At the August 16^th Delta Village Council meeting, Administrator Brad Peebles informed the Council that he had received a letter, earlier that day, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) instructing the Village to perform an inundation study of the Lower Reservoir at the Water Treatment Plant on County Road H. 

According to the United States Bureau of Reclamation, an inundation study is used for a variety of purposes in planning and design for proposed dams and for planning and upgrade of existing dams. Typical applications include downstream hazard classification, inundation mapping for use in developing Emergency Action Plans, mitigation planning and aid in the selection of design/performance levels for repairs or modifications to existing dams. Currently, there is a previous request from the ODNR for the same type of study for the Upper Reservoir.

“They are calling the Lower Reservoir a ‘dam’ and we are going to challenge that.  It’s something that’s never been done here that we can find or document.  If it has been they are going to have to provide us with that documentation,” said Mr. Peebles.  “To be very candid, I believe part of what is happening is there is so much federal money floating around out there for Emergency Action Plans and reaction because of COVID that these state agencies are trying to capitalize on that.  That’s my interpretation from reading between the lines and talking to these people.”

Mr. Peebles went on to say that if the additional study has to be done it could be “piggy-backed” on to the study for the Upper Reservoir but it would still involve some expense.  He also said he would be able to provide more information once he has had a chance to communicate with the ODNR.

Council also discussed eliminating the parking spots on Main Street directly in front of Memorial Hall for safety concerns.  The spots have not been re-marked since the recent resurfacing was completed at the request of Mr. Peebles.  He explained that, typically, the only people who utilize those spots are ones dropping off utility payments and who tend to be Delta’s “older clientele” who prefer to pay in person and may be the most vulnerable when they step out of their vehicles alongside the Main Street traffic.

In conversations with Police Chief Nathan Hartsock, the possibility of moving those spots to the west side of the building in front of the garage where the handicap spot is already located seemed like a much safer location and has access doors available said Mr. Peebles. Council agreed and legislation for the change along with signage will be drafted.

In other legislative action, the Third and Final Reading of Resolution 21-11, authorizing the Village Administrator to enter into an agreement with DGL Consulting Engineers to survey and design a downtown entrance feature on West Main Street was approved.

The First and Final Reading of Emergency Resolution 21-14, authorizing the Village Administrator to submit applications for water and wastewater grant funds being administered by the State of Ohio, Department of Development was approved.

The First Reading of Resolution 21-15 authorizing the Village Administrator to enter into an agreement with Peterman and Associates for a preliminary layout, evaluation of existing facilities and cost estimates for the replacement of the public pool within Delta Community Park also passed.

With the first Monday of September falling on Labor Day, a special Village Council meeting will be held on August 30, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

Pictured: New Official Village of Delta Seal

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To get ready for the upcoming U12 Fall Softball season, the Swanton Mad Dogz hosted a talented Bedford Lady Mules team in a scrimmage at Memorial Park on Thursday and came away with a very impressive victory. The Mad Dogz, coached by Amy Remer, Emily Avery and Lisa Ludlow, will be playing double-headers on Sunday afternoons this fall.

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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.