Hicksville Council approves multiple resolutions, advances water and park projects

The Hicksville Village Council on March 2 unanimously approved a series of emergency resolutions and heard updates on infrastructure, parks and public-safety matters.

Administrator Cory Wann told the council the Defiance Avenue Lift Station project is complete except for yard restoration and driveway stone placement, and said the village will solicit bids this spring for the Columbia & Hattery Water Main Replacement Project with anticipated completion in 2026. Wann also said the village hopes to replace the Beech Street and 400 block of South Bryan Street water mains next year and is exploring stormwater separation work on several blocks including South Maple, Wendell Avenue, East Hicks Street and East Edgerton Street.

The council voted to adopt several measures presented by Solicitor Avery Demland and Administrator Wann. Resolution 2026-05, authorizing a contract with integrated Payment Solutions LLC (PayStar) to provide ACH and credit-card services for the utility department, was approved after council suspended the rules. The council also approved applications and associated emergency declarations for grant funding: Resolution 2026-06 authorizes applying for a One Time Community Strategic Investment Fund (OTSCIF) grant; Resolution 2026-08 authorizes preparing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Beech Street Water Main Replacement Project; and Resolution 2026-09 authorizes a CDBG application for the East Hicks Storm Sewer Extension. The council adopted a procurement policy for the Fire Department under Resolution 2026-07. All listed motions passed by unanimous vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.

On parks and recreation, Wann said the Parks Director and village staff met with Midwest Recreation to discuss a full replacement of the Froggy Park playground in summer 2027 and that he is coordinating with Representative Klopfenstein to pursue possible State Capital Improvement Grant funding. The village will add four new pickleball courts in the tennis court area this spring and will replace the Field 3 baseball backstop fencing.

Wann reported damage to park property by contractors working for American Electric Power while replacing poles along the railroad behind the park; the Parks Department will perform repairs and the village will bill AEP for the repair costs. Separately, Wann said an automobile accident on Feb. 26 severely damaged the westbound handrail and concrete curbing on the East High Street viaduct; the Street Department removed broken handrails and cleaned the site, and Wann will obtain repair estimates once the Ohio State Highway Patrol crash report is received and forwarded to the village’s insurer, Ohio Plan.

Public-safety reports included Police Chief Mark Denning’s call/reports summary and Fire Chief Darrick Crochran’s announcement of a 6 a.m.–6 p.m. burn ban for the next three months (with post-6 p.m. burns subject to the fire chief’s discretion). Crochran said the department’s primary engine is in for repair and estimated costs “up to $10,000,” and that the secondary engine has been moved to primary status. EMS Chief Bruce Silcott reported 42 runs in February (38 medical, 4 fire), down from 64 runs the prior year, and that an ODPS grant application has been submitted.

Fiscal Officer Cheryl Smith presented financial reports and recommended hiring Gina Romo as assistant clerk at 30 hours per week; Toni Egly moved to hire Romo, seconded by Boyer Gonwick, and the council approved the hire unanimously. Mayor Michael Barth reminded employees about an upcoming health fair. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval (amended agenda): motion by Eric Bassett, seconded by Boyer Gonwick; outcome: approved unanimously. - Minutes (Feb. 17) approval: motion by Eric Bassett, seconded by Boyer Gonwick; outcome: approved unanimously. - Bills to be paid: motion by Eric Bassett, seconded by Toni Egly; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 2026-05 (PayStar contract; emergency): motion to suspend rules by Eric Bassett, seconded by Kent Miller; motion to approve by Eric Bassett, seconded by Kent Miller; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 2026-06 (OTSCIF grant application; emergency): motion to suspend rules by Eric Bassett, seconded by Toni Egly; motion to approve by Eric Bassett, seconded by Mike Villena; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 2026-07 (Fire Department procurement policy; emergency): motion to suspend rules by Eric Bassett, seconded by Toni Egly; motion to approve by Eric Bassett, seconded by Toni Egly; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 2026-08 (CDBG — Beech Street Water Main; emergency): motion to suspend rules by Kent Miller, seconded by Eric Bassett; motion to approve by Eric Bassett, seconded by Kent Miller; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 2026-09 (CDBG — East Hicks Storm Sewer; emergency): motion to suspend rules by Eric Bassett, seconded by Mike Villena; motion to approve by Brian Zeedyk, seconded by Kent Miller; outcome: approved unanimously. - Personnel: motion to hire Gina Romo as assistant clerk (30 hrs/wk) by Toni Egly, seconded by Boyer Gonwick; outcome: approved unanimously.

What’s next

The village will solicit bids for the Columbia & Hattery Water Main Replacement Project this spring; staff will obtain repair estimates for the East High Street viaduct damage and pursue grant funding for Froggy Park playground replacement and other listed infrastructure projects. Several approved resolutions were declared emergency measures and will be processed administratively.