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Fairgrove council sends unpaid fire bill to collections, reduces second invoice and approves firefighter applicants; sets sewer rate for Akron-Fairgrove Schools
Summary
At its April 7 meeting, the Village of Fairgrove council voted to send an unpaid fire invoice (2024-019) to collections, approved a reduced payment on a separate bill (2025-002), confirmed three probationary firefighter applicants and set a sewer rate of $1,331 for Akron-Fairgrove Schools. Several infrastructure and administrative items were also addressed.
The Village of Fairgrove council met April 7 and handled a series of administrative and fiscal actions, including moving an unpaid fire invoice to collections, reducing a related bill, approving firefighter hires and setting a school sewer rate. The meeting was called to order by Chair K. Young at 6:33 p.m.
In public comment, Gilford Township Supervisor Jim Stockmeyer addressed the council about a fire contract increase. Councilmember Harrison moved to send invoice 2024-019 to collections; Spencer seconded and the motion passed by roll call (Yes: R. Thomas, Harrison, Spencer, K. Young; motion recorded as carried 4-0-1). On a separate item, Harrison moved to reduce bill 2025-002 to $625; R. Thomas seconded. The reduction passed on a 3-1-1 roll call with Chair K. Young recorded as opposing.
The council accepted a Fire Department report provided by N. Maguire, noted a retirement open house for D. Young and voted to place three firefighter applicants—Brown, Galarza and Reese—on probationary status after they passed background checks (motion by Harrison; second Spencer; motion carried 4-0-1). The minutes also record promotions in March: Hall and Sweatland were named captains and Strazs was named lieutenant; the council approved those appointments.
The council approved several operational items: use of the DPW parking lot for Jaws training on April 28; a payment of $1,260 to vendor MES; and announced volunteer fire department fish fry fundraiser dates. Clerk-Treasurer Smith reported sewer planning updates and the council voted to prepare a new sewer contract with Akron-Fairgrove Schools and set the district's new sewer rate at $1,331 (motion by Harrison; seconded by Spencer; vote 4-0-1).
Public works and streets items included discussion of replacing downtown trees, a pending Center Street East project and a bridge painting estimate of $118,000 from Spicer. Spicer recommended partnering with the Tuscola County Road Commission (TCRC) next year or seeking a grant; council members voted to email photos to Spicer for assistance on correcting a road project and tabled a TCRC bill for $32,352.
The council approved an additional $1,000 payment for the lagoon for fiscal year 2025-26 and directed staff to gather more estimates for a park pavilion roof. A new blight ordinance from the village attorney was received and council members said they would discuss it at the next meeting; the Code Enforcement Officer position was posted and is open to applicants via the clerk.
Fiscal housekeeping included approval of March's check register, scheduling the village audit for May 19-22 and approving DPW pay terms: $23.00 (annualized to $35,880 based on 30 hours per week for 52 weeks), with vacation and sick pay frontloaded and an emergency plan to allow T. Thomas time off.
New business items included authorizing the clerk to investigate a tax-exempt village lot for sale, obtaining a plaque quote for a chief gift, considering ads on park benches, and a potential purchase agreement to buy the dump. A report that park grass had been torn up could not be corroborated on security cameras. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.; the council will meet next on May 5, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
