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Council hears holiday event schedule and public concerns about gas-aggregation notices and a hazardous tree
Summary
The City of Fostoria’s Public Affairs Committee outlined downtown holiday activities while members of the public thanked volunteers and urged clearer opt-out instructions for gas aggregation letters and asked the city to address an old boulevard tree with hanging branches.
The Fostoria City Council’s Public Affairs Committee announced a lineup of holiday events for downtown, and members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period to raise two concerns: unclear opt-out instructions in gas aggregation mailings and a hazardous boulevard tree that a resident said has not been trimmed.
Public affairs: A committee member described a schedule of seasonal programs, including a Christmas window-decorating contest (displays must be ready by Dec. 12 with online voting), a municipal Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., a breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6 hosted by the Fostoria Eastern Stars and Fostoria Masons, a Holiday Sip & Shop at the Fostoria Learning Center, the Fostoria Rotary Christmas Parade and Santa’s Sidekicks Toy Express on Dec. 6, a children’s gingerbread activity hosted by Calico Charlie’s and visits with Santa at local businesses. The Fostoria Community Arts Council will host a free children’s Christmas workshop on Dec. 13 at 125 South Main Street, and Santa will again be at the historic Lake Erie and Western Depot (128 West North Street) with a suggested $5 per-family donation to support the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society.
Public comment: Deb Tyson, who had requested to speak, thanked volunteers and said she is concerned that the Archer Energy gas-aggregation letters are long and do not make the opt-out cutoff clear, which could cause residents to miss the deadline. She urged clearer instructions in the mailing. (Mayor had earlier reminded residents that households already under contract with another supplier served by Columbia Gas would not receive the Archer Energy letter and that those wishing to opt out must follow the letter’s opt-out steps.)
Rebecca Kimball told council she has raised an issue previously about a boulevard tree whose branches break and hang and that city crews had spray-painted markings but did not follow through with trimming. She said the tree presents a hazard when wind loosens limbs and leaves accumulate on her property, and asked the council to address the situation.
What happens next: Holiday events are scheduled as announced; concerns raised during public comment (opt-out clarity and tree maintenance) did not receive recorded formal commitments in the transcript and may require follow-up with city staff.
