Waterville council to interview applicants for vacancy after May 13 resignation; four candidates presented at meeting

City officials told residents Monday they will interview applicants and appoint a replacement to a City Council seat vacated on May 13.

Mayor Lori Brody and staff reported that council received five letters of interest after councilor Tony Garver resigned effective May 13. Four of the candidates attended the June 9 meeting and gave brief remarks: Terry Masucci (resident and Tree Commission member), Rod Fry (former council member and finance committee chair), Tim Guzman (former council member, resident), and Keith Grigalski (resident and refinery employee). One candidate, Matt Herold, notified the administrator he could not attend.

Charter process and timeline: City officials said the charter requires appointees to be registered voters who have lived in the city at least two years. Council has 30 days from the effective vacancy date to appoint a replacement; if council does not select one, the mayor will make the appointment after the 30‑day period. City administrators said two additional council seats will become vacant January 1, 2026, and the seated council at that time will select appointees for those seats.

Interviews and next steps: Council moved to executive session to interview candidates in alphabetical order and discussed appointment and property matters under Ohio Revised Code sections cited for executive session. No appointment decision was made public during the meeting; interviews were scheduled and the council will follow charter rules for appointment or defer to the mayor if no consensus is reached.