Stockbridge Village Council presses forward on issues

by Patrice Johnson

The Stockbridge Village Council powered through a packed agenda Tuesday, September 4. President Molly Howlett opened the meeting with an announcement that the Lakelands Trail Site Plan will be available for public review at the Village Offices effective Sept. 5. She said $230,577 in grant funding had been received to date.

Chief Johnnie Torres reported that Frank Nehr was hired as part-time police officer in partial offset of three recent personnel losses. Torres said the police department is integrating an officer into the schools at the school’s request, and the school is providing $15,000 in funding.

Stockbridge Township Clerk Rebecca Muraf requested the council split the $4,000 cost of Trash Day, to be held Sept. 22 in the new S.A.E.S.A. lot. Residents of the village and township will not be asked to pay for disposing of tires, large items and possibly oil and paint. Proof of village or township residency will be required. Motion made and approved to contribute $2,000.

After some discussion, the council voted to hire part time, temporary DPW help, primarily to provide maintenance to vehicles and equipment in need of repair and to establish maintenance records to be kept current.

Attorney Gormley reported on the sale of Real Estate Property Ordinance to the Carsons for $2,000. The Carsons provided a check in that amount. The council will publish the proposed ordinance to disconnect the parcel and reconnect it to a property owned by Carsons, adjacent the basketball court and Lakeland Trails on S. Clinton Street.

Council President Pro-Tem Fred Cattell, in charge of enforcing the council’s blight ordinances, reported that a judge ruled in favor of the village and ordered a defendant 30 days to comply.

After returning from closed session, the council voted 5-2 to sustain Shane Batdorff’s termination from DPW.