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Stockbridge council approves water and sewer resolutions, police services contract and several administrative measures
Summary
At its March 20 meeting, the Village of Stockbridge council approved payment of $154,724.44 in bills, adopted amended water and sewer resolutions, approved a police services contract with Stockbridge Township, hired a part‑time police admin assistant, and approved several small contracts while tabling larger equipment purchases.
The Village of Stockbridge council on March 20 approved a series of routine and administrative actions, including adoption of water and sewer resolutions, authorization to pay $154,724.44 in bills and approval of an intergovernmental police services contract with Stockbridge Township.
The meeting, called to order by President Ogden at 7 p.m., recorded Vice‑Chair Cattell, Council members Morehouse, Fairbotham, Good and Powers‑Taylor as present; Howlett and President Ogden were listed as absent in the roll call. The council voted unanimously to pay $154,724.44 in outstanding bills after a motion by Council member Morehouse and support from Council member Fairbotham.
Council authorized several administrative and operations items. Powers‑Taylor and Morehouse moved to approve a Be Fit 5K Fun Run proposed by Positively Chiropractic, including temporary road closures at Clinton/Elizabeth, Center/Elizabeth and the closure of Center Street to Main. The council also approved purchasing a service line locator for the Department of Public Works for up to $4,500, contingent on receiving two additional quotes.
On personnel and benefits, the council voted to enroll full‑time police staff and the office staff in the MERS HSA Plan after a motion by Council member Fairbotham, and approved hiring Amanda Bartus as a part‑time police department administrative assistant at $17.00 per hour, not to exceed 15 hours per week, with a start date backdated to March 10, 2025 and an end date of June 1, 2025.
The council adopted two agenda resolutions related to utilities: Water Resolution 2025‑03‑20.001 (as amended) and Sewer Resolution 2025‑0320.002 (as written). It approved Duke's Tree Service to perform Oaklawn Cemetery tree maintenance for $1,900 and accepted an addendum to the Woodhill Group contract (originally dated November 4, 2024) for a water and sewer billing database and process review and analytics.
A proposed police vehicle purchase of up to $50,000 was tabled by Vice‑Chair Cattell; a separate agenda item to replace the hall roof and a DPW heavy equipment quote were also tabled. The council adopted amendments to its Rules and Procedures by a unanimous vote.
During public comment, a resident identified as Ford said microphones were not working for the audience, criticized council spending and asked how many village employees there are; another commenter, Mills, said water and sewer connection fees will not attract businesses. Council members later commented that the village’s water infrastructure is failing, that revenue is needed for replacement, and that building public trust is necessary to advance infrastructure projects.
The council announced upcoming committee and commission meetings and adjourned at 10:07 p.m. The Village Clerk, Heather R. Armstrong, signed the minutes.
