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Willard reports reservoir pumping, multiple water-main breaks and new mobile command trailer
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the Willard City Manager reported reservoir levels and pumping rates, said the city has had 10 water-main breaks so far this year (costs about $2,000'$5,000 each), announced a donation of a larger mobile command trailer from Huron County EMA, and noted that Ryan Gillmor testified before the Ohio Senate about the city's documented drone program.
The Willard City Manager updated the City Council on Feb. 17 about ongoing operations and infrastructure matters, including reservoir pumping, water-main breaks, equipment donations and construction activity.
Finance: The Finance Director told Council the City's bond issue is earning 3.8% interest; Council voted unanimously to accept the Finance Director's January 2026 reports, which included monthly cash reconciliation, pooled cash, fund balances, treasurer and budget reports, and an income-tax receipt summary.
Water and reservoir: Staff began pumping water into the reservoir last week and reported the reservoir is down about 6.5 feet. The Manager said the reservoir holds approximately 2.3 billion gallons and the city averages about 1.17 million gallons pumped daily. Maintenance reported 10 water-main breaks so far this year (versus 14 at the same time last year), and staff estimated material costs per break of about $2,000 to $5,000 and said warmer weather could produce more breaks.
Emergency equipment and drones: Council learned that Huron County Emergency Management Agency donated a larger, better-equipped trailer to be used as a mobile command center; the smaller trailer will go to the maintenance department. The Manager also said Ryan Gillmor testified before an Ohio Senate committee about the city's drone program and that the committee extended the drones' approvals for four years; staff said every flight is documented.
Construction and events: Staff reported a traffic-control box on U.S. Route 224 at Neal Zick was recently hit in an accident and will be repaired, the Police Station floor will be poured this week with walls to follow next week, and a residential-sidewalk committee is being proposed to develop solutions for sidewalk problems. Staff announced a city-wide garage sale May 7' and Downtown Springfest May 9. Council accepted a $1,806.79 donation from the Willard Moose Lodge for the Centennial/Sesquicentennial Fund.
Council did not vote on policy changes related to these operational updates during the Feb. 17 meeting; items were presented for information and routine acceptance where noted.
