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Fort Recovery council hears progress on EMS staffing, lagoons, water-plant design and pedestrian-safety projects
Summary
Council heard updates on ambulance staffing and equipment, wastewater lagoon treatment and potential dredging, a water-plant final-design kickoff tied to a 0% loan application, and traffic-signal and Safe Routes to School work ahead of the school year.
The Village of Fort Recovery Council received a series of operational and capital-project updates at its July 15 meeting, including emergency medical services staffing, wastewater lagoon treatment, a pending water-plant design kickoff tied to a 0% loan application, and traffic-signal and pedestrian improvements timed for the school year.
Mayor Dave Kaup described recent squad activity and resourcing: "Their runs are up 20% this year," he said, noting the squad approved its 2025 budget and plans to order a new ambulance in fall 2025 with delivery expected in 2028. Kaup told council the county had sought to reassimilate the district into county service, "which was a hard no," and that the squad expects to add three new first responders. Kaup said on-call pay is currently $3 and may increase to $4 in 2025 or 2026, and council agreed to offer to pay for EMS class costs for at least one local trainee already self-funding their training.
Randy Diller, who provided multiple project updates, said wastewater-lagoon performance improved after installing a larger recirculation pump: "With the larger recirculation pump the numbers are good, the smell is non-existent." He said staff will add a third dose of a sludge-reduction material and will "sludge judge" to determine whether dredging is needed, with dredging work likely to be scheduled in September if required.
On water systems, Diller said final-design work for the water-plant will kick off July 29 and the village is awaiting an OWDA/OEPA decision on a 0% loan to support the project. Water-tower planning is advancing; officials said they will fully appropriate funds once the state provides instructions for processing the funds.
Transportation and safety items include completion steps for the Butler/Elm signal and Elm/Center pedestrian crossing. Diller said concrete and curb work are nearly done; paint and signage were scheduled for Aug. 5 and the new signals will flash red in all directions for the first 7–10 days. He emphasized that the system cannot be switched to full operation until crosswalk work and signage are complete.
The council also noted that both Safe Routes to School infrastructure and non-infrastructure grants were approved and cover 100% of project costs, with the main sidewalk link from Sharpsburg Road to the school expected in 2026–27.
What’s next: staff will proceed with the water-plant design kickoff, schedule further lagoon testing and any needed dredging, continue coordination with the state on tower and loan instructions, and complete signal and crosswalk work before school starts.
