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End of year comments from departments; Equipment replacement; financial wrapping up; council meeting packet

By Andy Chappell-Dick

Bluffton Council met on Tuesday, December 27, for its final meeting of 2022. The agenda was light on reports but heavy on emergency legislation, most presented by Fiscal Officer Kevin Nickel.  Five of six items dealt with year-end procedural accounting matters, and the sixth was renewing the Village's annual retainer contract with Findlay attorney Elliot Werth. All six passed 5-0. Councillor Phil Talavinia was absent.  

COMMITTEES
In the only committee report, Councilor Dave Steiner reported on Finance.  The committee had met to review various budgetary matters, and also put together recommendations for equipment purchases. This includes a new $60,000 F-250 pickup truck for the public works department. Village trucks are on a 15-year cycle, so this vehicle would replace a worn out 2008 model.  Also discussed was a new leaf vacuum machine for $95,000. These recommendations were both were approved 5-0.

ADMINISTRATION
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn reported that work progressed rapidly in the week before Christmas on the Lawn Avenue waterline replacement.  With the stone quarry closed this week, there won't be much happening on this project until the new year.

By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team methodically beat Kenton 50-40 in a non-conference battle Tuesday night, December 27.

Bluffton improved to 7-2 with their first road win in three tries this season. Kenton fell to 3-7 with the defeat.

The Pirates outscored the Wildcats 22-2 at the foul line.

Bluffton held a 15-13 edge after the first period, and increased its advantage slightly to 28-25 at halftime.

The Pirate girls maintained a three-point lead at 39-36 heading to the fourth quarter.