Galena council appoints Pete Casuccio to council, approves multiple emergency measures

The Village of Galena Council on Nov. 18 appointed Pete Casuccio to fill an open council seat and approved a slate of emergency resolutions and personnel actions for 2025.

Pete Casuccio was selected by paper ballot after interviews with council; Fiscal Officer Michelle Dearth tallied the votes and Council President Kathy Krupa announced Casuccio’s appointment and then administered the oath of office. Following that action, council voted to appoint Michelle Parsons to the Village Planning & Zoning Commission; the roll-call vote was Krupa—Yes, Doucette—Yes, Hopper—No, Casuccio—Yes, Fry—Yes and Porter—Yes (recorded as 5–1 in favor). The minutes state Parsons will be formally sworn in at the November Planning & Zoning meeting.

Council also adopted Ordinance No. 2024-11 (third reading, emergency), which sets certificate-of-registration and construction permit fees for the village’s right-of-way program; the ordinance passed on a 6–0 roll-call vote. Earlier in the meeting Mayor Jeff Kinnell read a range of resolutions and hiring items for 2025, including contracts and appointments for prosecutorial and administrative services, and several lease and personnel matters; many of those items were presented as emergency readings in the minutes, with roll-call votes recorded for some and others presented without a recorded vote in the text.

The meeting included routine financial actions: approval of the Oct. 28 minutes, payment of November invoices and approval of the November financial statements, each adopted without recorded opposition. Interim Zoning Inspector Alison Cherubini-Hillyer updated council on local development activity—Blackhawk Phase D punch-list work, approval of Miller Farm Section 1 final plat, lift-station repairs and receipt of the Improvements Plan for Miller Farm Section 2. Wastewater Superintendent Brian Rammelsberg reported no violations for the month and no new sewer taps.

In guest participation, Mary Howard informed the council that the Sunbury-Galena Rotary is collecting unwrapped toys for People in Need and that “Toys will be collected until December 8th,” with flyers to be posted around the village. The mayor also said Alta Fiber will be invited to the Dec. 16 meeting to address council and the public, staff are evaluating a completed trail study, and a committee is exploring a Joint Recreation District with neighboring communities. Council was also informed that staff are preparing an ODOT Pedestrian & Bicycle safety grant application.

The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.; the next council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16, 2024 at 6 p.m., in Council Chambers at Galena Village Hall and via Zoom.