By Liz Gordon-Hancock

The Village of Bluffton Board of Zoning & Building Appeals, which is made up of members Tom Downey, Tony Pinks and Dave Miller, met on Tuesday, January 10 to hear a proposal from Ryan and Jessica Meyer asking for permission to convert the former True Word Tabernacle church at 104 East Elm St. into a multiple apartment facility.

The Meyers’ proposal required permission for variances to certain Chapters and Sections of Village code, involving conditional use (Chapter 153.142), required yardage for a residential property (Chapter 153.123 & 153.145), and off-street parking (Chapter 153.306).

Jessica Meyer gave a detailed presentation on their proposal to convert the church into 8 individual apartment units with modern amenities and private entrances. 

Over twenty community members attended, many of whom spoke in favor of the proposal.

The Zoning Board unanimously approved all three variances required.

END

UPDATED 1:00 P.M. JANUARY 11
The Icon is providing expanded and corrected descriptions of two incentive program options provided by EMS Chief Jan Basinger. The proposal document is attached.

EMS Chief went on 486 of 808 calls in 2022

By Paula Scott

On January 9, the Bluffton Council safety services committee met to hear a proposal by EMS Chief Jan Basinger to provide on-call and service frequency incentives for EMS volunteer crew members. He was responding to a 2021 request from the council to create a bonus program for EMS members.

The reason for the new proposal is that calls for service are steadily increasing while EMS volunteer personnel numbers are decreasing.

Women's Basketball

The Bluffton University women dominated quarters two and four en route to a 61-53 victory over MIAA-power Albion College (9-4) on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. In a game that was made possible thanks to Mother Nature, as the Britons were unable to fly to California for their games at Christmas, the Sommer Center faithful was treated to an outstanding non-conference tussle between Albion and Bluffton.

January 18 - The Angel Maker

February 15 - If We're Being Honest

It's not too late to pick up an advance copy of The Angel Maker by Alex North and participate in the Galley Book Group at noon on Wed., January 18 at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main.

This book will be published in February, so here's your chance to get a sneak peek!

Over 600 sophomores in Apollo Career Center’s 11-member district will be visiting Apollo during 411Blast, scheduled Friday, January 27, 2023.

411Blast is designed to expose students to possibilities and paths that are available for their career and/or college success. Students choose two programs of interest and then spend one-half day visiting those labs, meeting the instructors and participating in fun, interactive demos and activities.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Jenera, has issued the following invitations for programs for young children and their caregivers:

Mornings with Mommy is a fun and easy way to enjoy activities with your infant through kindergarten age children (ages 0-6 years) and meet other moms. Dads, Grandmas, Grandpas, and Nannies are welcome, too! 

New 5-year contract for superintendent

By Paula Scott

At 7:30 p.m. on January 11, the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education will meet for a re-organization and regular meeting. Board meetings are held in the Elementary Media Center, 102 S. Jackson St.

The organizational meeting agenda gives a partial view of the duties of the school treasurer and superintendent based on the permissions granted to them by the school board.

In regular business, the board will be asked to approve a new 5-year contract for Superintendent Greg Denecker and the reappointment of Carrie Phillips to a 7-year term as a Bluffton Public Library board member.

Join us in thanking Bluffton Family Recreation for being a Bluffton Icon advertiser. 

BFR Sports and Fitness Center, 215 Snider Rd., is a non-profit organization serving Bluffton, Ohio and surrounding communities. Phone: (419) 358-4150.

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The Quarry Farm News for Winter 2023 has been released including details about  scheduled events such as the annual Hat Day Hike on Sunday, January 15.

Readers are also invited to send an email if interested in setting up a program. Contact facilitator Anne Coburn-Griffis for more information.

Read the newsletter HERE.