Fulton County Ohio Media

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

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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

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The host team Swanton Bulldog Golfers shot an 18-hole total of 330 to finish in third place at the Bulldog Golf Invitational held at their home course, Valleywood Golf Club this past Monday.  Swanton missed second place by one stroke as the Perrysburg Yellow Jackets finished with a 329 score.  The Ottawa Hills Green Bears captured the first-place trophy by carding an impressive 322 total.  Rounding out the eight-team field were the Otsego Knights with a 354, the Springfield Blue Devils at 357, the Emmanuel Christian Warriors at 434, the Delta Panthers at 470 and the Northwood Rangers with a 503.

Pacing the Bulldogs was Garret Swank with a 79 and Sam Betz with an 80.  Both scores placed the Swanton golfers on the All-Tournament team.  Also contributing to the Bulldog total of 330 was Mazin Rukieh (83) and Ryan O’Shea (88).  Adam Lemon (90) and Lucas Bloom (119) competed for Swanton as well.

Michael Budge of Otsego took medalist honors with a +3 score of 74.  He also made the All-Tournament team along with Eddie Griffin (78), Anthony Adduci (80) and Will Swigart (80), all of Ottawa Hills.

Swanton will be in action again tomorrow, August 12^th, in the Paulding Golf Invitational at Auglaize Golf Club in Defiance.  Tee time is 9:00 AM.  Delta next takes on Evergreen at Woodlawn Golf Club in Adrian, Michigan on Friday, August 13^th.  Tee time is 10:00 AM.

Click on the link above to access FREE photos.

Pictured: Swanton Bulldogs

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Big Shout Out to the Swanton Corn Fest Committee for great job they did this past weekend. The Village of Swanton is very lucky to have dedicated people committed to put on this wonderful event. We know it takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work to pull this off and we really appreciate it.

Here are over 300 photos for the Swanton Corn Festival events that were held at Memorial Park. Just click on the link above for access. Any or all photos can be downloaded for no cost.

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After a one-year hiatus, the Swanton Corn Festival Parade returned to the streets of Swanton in spectacular fashion. Great job by the Corn Fest Parade Committee and welcome back!

Click on the link above to access over 600 photos in a Google Photos folder. Any or all photos can be downloaded to your computer for free. All photos are in jpeg format which will allow for editing.