Hiram council meeting roundup: insurance, municipal software, public-safety updates and finance

The Hiram Village Council’s Feb. 11 meeting included a series of administrative reports and non-controversial updates.

Guest speaker Mark Russell of Ellerhorst Insurance reviewed insurance options for the village and recommended obtaining accurate appraisals of village property to guide coverage decisions. Mayor Anne Haynam reported the village’s interest in becoming a Buckeye Trail Town and outlined associated requirements; she also updated the council on committee activities. Administrator Steven Schuller gave staff updates, including progress on implementing MuniLink municipal software and Service Department work such as painting, new flooring in council chambers and plowing. Council discussed reported drainage issues at Maggie’s Donuts and noted staff follow-up would be required.

Public-safety reports included Fire Chief Bill Byers noting two new fire-department hires and recent calls; the police report (Chief Gregory) covered recent calls, Narcan training, an upcoming pancake breakfast and rollout of new parking-ticket software.

In finance, Mayor Haynam said errors had been discovered in recent accounting and described the village’s approach to closing the 2024 books; Councilor Ed Frato-Sweeney requested additional items be included in future financial reports. The council received a presentation from a Huntington Bank representative on municipal-banking benefits and discussed options for changing employee health insurance plans. Council also discussed options for collecting delinquent RITA accounts; Judy Macek raised her own RITA fines and the mayor and fiscal officer pledged to assist her in pursuing resolution.

The meeting proceeded to an executive session for personnel matters under ORC 121.22 from 8:31 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m.