BY NICOLETTE WINNER

West Milton Village Council met in a short session for its December 10 meeting. Business was primarily limited to the passage of two ordinances and one resolution. The first ordinance passed was one designed to appropriate funds for 2025, and it passed 6-0.

The second ordinance passed was an emergency ordinance to amend 2024 appropriations, adjusting them to reflect unanticipated expenditures. Mayor Scott Hurst explained that the emergency designation was placed on the ordinance only because of timing. With numbers being required to be turned in to the county by the first of the new year and it being the final month of the year, there would not be time for a second reading. No true emergency exists, and the ordinance was passed unanimously.

Council approved a resolution for DLZ Ohio, Inc., to conduct a water and wastewater regionalization study over the next four to six months. The company is expected to provide up to three options to Council.

Municipal Manager D. Jeffrey Sheridan reported that a grant had been secured to cover the cost of new lighting for the trail on 571, a cost estimated to be around $800,000.

Service Director Ben Herron reported that the village’s leaf collection had been completed, with residents waiting an average of three days for their leaves to be removed. More than 700 man hours and 1,475 miles were completed as part of the leaf collection process.

Herron also shared that the village’s salt capacity is full, and he noted that brine has been a big help in reducing the amount of salt the village uses.

Council voted to cancel the upcoming December workshop.

Reflecting on recent community events, positive feedback was received about the village’s tree lighting ceremony and the new tree.

“Thank you for everybody who came out and supported our Christmas tree lighting,” said organizer and Council Member Sarah Gregory.