South Bloomfield council hears Halloween Fest vendor proposals, public comments on mailboxes and a large water bill

South Bloomfield — At its Aug. 18 meeting the Village Council heard vendor proposals and several public comments as it prepared for upcoming community events.

Representatives of Business of Bounce presented rental options for Halloween Fest, saying the company has 17 bounce houses, a dunk tank, and cotton candy and snow-cone machines. “They stated that they can do it either way: the village can staff it with volunteers or would have to pay Business of Bounce to staff it,” council members recorded. Council members and the vendor discussed pricing; the company said costs range from $200 to $410 depending on the inflatable and recommended booking as early as possible to secure preferred units. The company also noted refunds of deposits are 100% in the event of weather cancellations and that they can set up on either grass or pavement.

Lisa McDorman said Strawser's will attend Halloween Fest to sell scoops, floats and cotton candy. Silvana Ooten reported she will check with her father, the farmland owner, about pumpkins from Stir Family Farm for a pumpkin-decorating station.

On movie licensing, Amber Murphy said it would cost an additional $200 to change the movie title for Halloween Fest, so council agreed to show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because the license for that title had already been paid after a prior weather cancellation.

In public comment, Juanita Langbein asked about flags she saw in the field behind Bob Evans; Mayor Aaron Thomas said the village had received no notice of development there and council agreed to pursue the inquiry if residents wanted them to. Bryan Cline asked whether mailboxes on Dowler Drive could be converted to centralized cluster boxes to ease parking; Mayor Thomas said the village would need to work with the U.S. Postal Service and council agreed to investigate. Sid Hill told the council his water bill this month was $4,100 because of a leaking toilet and asked whether the village could help; Mayor Thomas suggested Hill speak with village staff (Joe) to review options.

Council members reported dumpster days was a success and noted a new food truck, Gourmet Mac Shack, will be at the park this Friday. Fiscal Officer Alisha Burke reminded the council the next meeting will be held Sept. 2 due to Labor Day.

Why it matters: The vendor decisions and logistics shape Halloween Fest programming and village costs; public comments flagged local concerns about mail delivery logistics and a high utility bill that residents said may constitute a financial hardship.

The council did not take formal action during the public-comment portion on mailboxes or the water bill; members agreed to investigate and coordinate with appropriate agencies and staff. The meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.