DISCLAIMER: The following excerpts from the December 13, 2005 Carroll Council Meeting, have not been approved by the Council

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Charles O’Hare with the Pledge of Allegiance.

All members of the council were present.

Council visitors were Will Burns, Middy Clum, Ed and Tammy Drobina.

The council approved the minutes, bills and end of month reports including the Mayors Court Activity Report.

The Finance Committee met in regular session to discuss council salaries, the purchase of two small fireproof safes for the police department and the purchase of a programmable thermostat to help reduce fuel costs in the municipal building. The committee tabled the issue of council salaries and forwarded to the full council for their consideration the purchase of the fireproof safes and the programmable thermostat. Council approved the purchase of two items.

The Service Committee met in regular session to discuss establishing a fee for repeated sewer calls that result from customer generated problems. Also on the agenda is a review of house numbering. No action taken on either issue.

Officer Jason Blankenship gave the November police report.

There was no Mayor’s General Information.

There was no old business to discuss.

Mr. Will Burns commented on an apology to the Old Timers. To paraphrase Mr. Burns, he stated he did apologize to the Old Timers Organization but not to the Council.

Clerk Mary Dawson, attended Local Government Services (LGS) training on December 14 in Athens, Ohio. This training is in preparation for the village to convert it’s current accounting system to the new UAN GASB 34 accounting system. Current municipal accounting used by the State Auditor is unique in that independent auditors, not associated with the state of Ohio, are not familiar with municipal auditing procedures and as a result are unable to audit municipal records. The new accounting system will integrate two systems into one; so independent auditors will be able to audit municipal records. During the first two years of use, the village will merge these two systems. Until the accounting systems are completely integrated, an adverse opinion may be generated at the conclusion of a biannual audit. If an adverse opinion is issued, this opinion will be the result of the integration of the accounting system, and not a result of errors in the accounting of village records.

They’re being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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The Mayor recently discussed the status of the Carroll Interchange with Mr. Rob Miller, Consultant with CH2M Hill. Mr. Miller offered the following information concerning future plans for the Interchange. According to Mr. Miller, a number of draft feasibility alternatives for the interchange have been forwarded to The Ohio Department of Transportation for their review. As currently planned, a stakeholder’s meeting will be scheduled to discuss interchange alternatives sometime in mid January. In mid February, a Public Involvement meeting will be scheduled to solicit public input on the selected alternatives. ODOT sent property owners letters advising them of the plans for the Carroll Interchange. Below is a bullet-point list of some of the project’s important milestones and the expected completion dates.

Public Meeting to evaluate the project’s feasible alternatives-Early Winter 2006

Completion of the Preferred Alternative Verification Report-Summer 2006

Completion of the evaluation of project impacts-Fall 2006

Submission of Stage 1 design (including preliminary right-of-way calc)-Winter 2006/7

Completion of Stage 2 and 3 design-Summer 2008

Completion of right-of-acquisition-Winter 2008/9

Initiation of construction-Spring 2009

Completion of construction-Fall 2010

The Mayor continues to be involved and discusses with responsible persons at ODOT and CH2M Hill, the progress of planning for the Carroll Interchange. I believe it is important to work with these professionals so Carroll will receive the best outcome possible from the design process. By attending ODOT meetings, I have learned that local officials have little or no impact on major design changes. However, I have also found, that local officials in many instances are very effective in "fine tuning" a design so the design works better for the individual local community.

************************************************************************************ The Mayor continuing his long-standing custom, treated village employees to a Christmas dinner.

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Many Carroll citizens are asking what will happen now that the fire replacement levy failed. At this time, this is the best answer I can offer. In the November election, voters rejected the replacement levy requested by Greenfield Township Trustees to continue certain fire and emergency services in the township. Chief Morris stated when the new fire station is completed all equipment will be relocated from Carroll to the new station on Havensport Road. No manpower or equipment will remain in Carroll. With the failure of the replacement levy, one part time shift was eliminated. One less shift, make it impossible to man the Carroll station. Even though Carroll is not the geographic center of the township, for more than nine months each year, Carroll is the largest population center in the township and we need the coverage we are losing. Many reasons can be advanced for the failure of the replacement levy. Regardless of the reasons for the levy failure, the simple fact remain, Carroll still needs timely fire and emergency coverage. The Chief stated the trustees will place this issue on the May ballot. I hope the trustees and the Fire Chief do a better job of explaining the need for the levy and I hope the township and village residents recognize what Carroll is losing if this levy fails again.

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Ms. Kay Collins, President of the Revitalization and Improvement Committee of Carroll, wishes to thank everyone who participated in RICC activities this year by donating time, services and financial support in 2005. Your continued support is appreciated.

Council met in special session on Tuesday December 27, 2005 to act on year-end business. Council approved all year-end bills.

Council approved Resolution R-3-2005, A Resolution Setting Temporary Appropriations for 2006.

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Mr. Brooks Davis, Director, The Regional Planning Commission reported that the village’s request for a downtown revitalization grant was not approved due to a strong demand for funds to start or complete existing projects. Mr. Davis encouraged the village to reapply at the next funding cycle. The village will be notified in January or February when to submit an application for the next funding cycle.

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I recently had a lengthy discussion with a Columbus developer who is exploring development opportunities in and around the Carroll area. He expressed the developed land will contain a variety of residential uses but mostly residential use are for senior citizens to avoid an impact on the school system. He discussed the possibility of warehouses, and general business or commercial uses. There was no discussion of industrial. His discussions were at the exploratory stage attempting to see if land is available. At this point, I see no reason to believe any movement forward on these discussions will take place any time soon or if ever.

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Mr. Roy Casey retired December 31, 2005. Roy was a dedicated and hard worker for the village. Not only did Mr. Casey and his helper Bill Burns and Jerry Doan who retired for health reasons, maintain village streets, parks, and he repaired and maintained village equipment. One little known fact about Roy he made himself available for after hour, weekend and holidays emergencies that would occur. In most of these callouts, he did not clock in and he donated his time to the village.

It should be noted with Roy’s retirement, there will be no village maintenance workers available to work in the village. If a significant snow event occurs before Roy is replaced, the village is prepared to use an outside snow removal company. Councilman Leffler volunteered to do snow removal if he is needed and he has the time available.

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Councilwoman Linda Pierce last day on the council was December 31, 2005. She did not run for reelection and choose instead to retire from public life. Linda was a tireless worker behind the scene. A reception was held for Linda after the final meeting of the year. We wish Linda well in her retirement.

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Charles O’Hare

Mayor

DISCLAIMER: The following excerpts from the November 9, 2005 Carroll Council Meeting, have not been approved by the Council

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Charles O’Hare with the Pledge of Allegiance.

All members of the council present except Dave Leffler who had illness in the family.

There were four visitors at the council meeting, Middy Clum, Ed and Tammy Drobina, and Les Aberts.

The council approved the minutes and the bills and end of month reports including the Mayors Court Activity Report.

Mr. Don Rector, Director of Fairfield Utilities, addressed the council announcing that by noon tomorrow, (Wednesday 11-9-05) water will be flowing into Carroll from Fairfield Utilities Lockville Road water plant. Mr. Rector thanked the Mayor, council, clerk and village residents for their help and patience. Clean up, grass seeding etc. will most likely be done in the spring. Flyers were distributed to each home describing what to expect for the next couple of weeks until the water lines are flushed. The water main will provide the village with increased water pressure. Mr. Rector stated he is sure we will be happy with the end product, as other users have been. He suggested homeowners should clean the screens on our faucets etc. Fairfield Utilities will flush lines to begin service and homeowners should feel free to communicate with them. We did learn a great deal about the infrastructure of Carroll. As soon as a map is completed, Mr. Rector will see that the village receives a copy. The Mayor stated he would prepare and send a letter to the Commissioners.

Officer Jason Blankenship gave the monthly police report. One very interesting stat presented by Officer Blankenship was the report of an attempted abduction of a Carroll resident at the Speedway Gas Station. The suspect was quickly apprehended and is incarcerated in the Fairfield County Jail.

The Mayor reported Trick or Treat night went well. The Mayor extends his thanks to Mr. Jerry Jarrett for being a crossing guard at Center and Market Street helping children and parents cross Center Street safely. Thanks Jerry.

Fairfield Utilities reported on Monday November 7 that the water plant failed the morning of October 28 causing severely discolored water in certain areas of the community. Fire hydrants were flushed Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning to ease the problem.

The Mayor applauded the council for moving forward with the water project and seeing the project through to completion. We overcame many obstacles but our 2-year effort resulted in the completion of this project.

Under Old Business, the Mayor reported he contacted Mr. Tom Bohl concerning street striping and he stated the work would be completed, as time would allow.

Heiberger Paving began the paving work on Market Street on Monday to repair the street damage resulting from curb replacement and street settling from last years curb work.

Under New Business, the Mayor asked the council to consider legislation to establish a fee for repeat sanitary calls resulting from homeowner created problems. The Mayor suggested $100.00 plus cost of pumping tanks if needed to complete tank repairs. This matter was referred to the Service Committee for consideration.

The Mayor requested the Finance Committee study the need for an increase in council salaries due to the recent newspaper article on council salaries in communities thru out the county. The Village of Carroll is the lowest paid in the county.

The council approved Ordinance 2005-14, An Ordinance for an agreement for snow removal on joint use roads. All council members present voted to approve.

The Clerk gave a report on the continuing education workshop she attended on October 19. She also reported she will be attending a UAN workshop on November 14 and 15. She explained the increase in PER’s fees and the various monies the state is phasing out which will reduce monies the village will receive from the state.

Mr. Ed Drobina addressed the council and stated he still feels the Mayor should apologize to Tammy and he is not suggesting censorship in the newsletter. He feels we should just send out the post cards and do away with the newsletter. He asked if the newsletter was worth all this hassle. It’s full of lies and misquotes and his own comments. If he (Mayor) wants to make it his newsletter then he should pay for it, but the taxpayers are paying so why not just send the postcards? Mr. Drobina further stated maybe it is time the council controls the Mayor. Ed stated that the Mayor has again called his boss at Pickerington. The Mayor did state he called the Mayor Dave Shaver after the last council meeting to find out if someone called Pickerington and using the mayor’s name. The Mayor stated he has not called Pickerington for years. No one has returned his call. The Mayor stated there are persons calling other persons pretending to be the Mayor.

Councilwoman Pat Pierce commented that she knows the newsletter does cost us, but she feels this is one way to let the village residents know what is going on. Her understanding is that it is taken directly from the tapes of the meeting. She asked the clerk if that is correct. The Clerk stated the minutes are taken from the tape of the meeting but she does not prepare the newsletter, she gives that information to Charlie. Pat further stated if there is misinformation in the newsletter then they should clarify what is wrong, such as this statement etc. and should be brought to the council. Pat said she reads the newsletter every month and she does not see any problems with it. One of the things she read in Tammy’s story was that Will Burns apologized and to her knowledge the man never offered an apology. Tammy stated what she said was he apologized to the Old timers for the trouble he caused them. The council was not aware of him apologizing that night. We all understand how things can be read or said wrong. She further stated the Mayor has never told her how to think or vote and she would be very upset if someone thought he (Mayor) ran her mind. She feels that is belittling to her or any member of the council that he has that much influence over any of us. That does not happen and she feels the newsletter is a good source of information for the village residents. Tammy asked to respond, she stated that at one time the minutes were blatantly wrong and everybody just sat there and voted to approve them. Pat asked if she specified what it was? Tammy stated, yes and no one does anything. Pat stated she would try to be more aware of that. Tammy went on with her comments.

Councilman Larry Craig stated he has lived in Carroll since 1959 and feels it is a wonderful place to live. He has served on all kinds of committees. He stated he is setting here for the $1.00 he gets for coming here. He would still be setting here if he didn’t get a dime.

He is here to serve the electors and if he felt for one minute he was not doing what the people elected him to do then he would leave and not come back. He feels everyone should get past "you get me, I get you." That is not what we are here for. We are here to do what we can do for the good of this community and get this crap behind us.

The Clerk stated she did not know about the phone call to Pickerington saying it was the Mayor, but Roy Casey called this office and asked who was calling numbers from his cell phone bill and asking who it was and stating it was the Mayor’s Office calling. We told Casey no one from this office did that and Casey did return his phone. Apparently someone is making phone calls from somewhere and it’s not from this office.

They’re being no further business for the council to consider, the meeting was adjourned.

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According to the State Auditors Office, the last two bi-annual audits of the village records conducted by their office, the auditor reported receiving several anonymous letters from Carroll Citizens expressing concerns about certain actions taken by village officials. As a result of these ongoing problems in the village, the auditor recommended the clerk should, to the extent possible, record the minutes of each council meeting exactly as taken from the audiotapes of the meeting.

It is important to point out, the auditor was unable to substantiate any of the claims made by those persons writing to the auditor’s office.

A few readers of this newsletter believe information published in the newsletter is too graphic. A sanitized version of what takes place at council meetings prevents citizens from obtaining a true and accurate picture of the actions of the council and the public. A sanitized version denies citizens valuable information they may need to make a rationale judgment about the actions of their elected officials and visitors who attend and speak at council meetings.

A number of citizens have expressed their support for continuing the present newsletter format. I was giving serious thought to going to a sanitized version for a few months to measure public reaction to this change. Based on recent citizens feedback concerning the content of the newsletter, I decided to continue the present format for the time being.

The Mayor completed mandatory update mayor’s court training required by the Ohio Supreme Court. Mayors who maintain and preside over Mayor’s Court are required to meet training standards established by the Supreme Court. The Mayor’s current certification will expire in December 2006.

Beginning in 2006, the following persons will serve the community as a member of the village council.

Larry Craig, re-elected Jeff Peters, newly elected Dave Leffler, re-elected

Dave Cotner, newly elected Carole Dreier, incumbent Pat Pierce, incumbent

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November 9, 2005 is a red-letter day for Carroll. On that day, at approximately 12:15 P.M. the existing village water plant was taken off-line from the village water system and the village began receiving water from Fairfield County.

The connection to the county water system culminates two years of hard work and negotiations with Fairfield Utilities and the Fairfield County Commissioners. The cost of the water main was over $800,000, which was paid by Fairfield County. The village paid for the construction of the meter pit. The construction cost was approximately $37,000 and was paid by the village with existing water funds. This project with the help of the Fairfield County Commissioners and Fairfield Utilities saved the citizens of Carroll approximately $600,000 which is the cost of constructing a new water plant. This effort is a good example of what can happen when government bodies and people work together for the common good. During the negotiating process, many obstacles arose but with honest, good faith discussion these obstacles were overcome and culminated in the signing of an agreement between Carroll and Fairfield County. This project is no less than a win-win situation for both the county and the village. Your elected officials worked hard to make this project happen, and we hope the citizens of the community will enjoy the highly refined water they are now receiving.

Representatives from Fairfield Utilities distributed letters to homes explaining what homeowners should expect in the near future from the water system. In the letter, a phone number was provided if homeowners encounter troubles with the water system changeover.

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Bloom-Carroll High School Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, December 3^rd from 9-3 P.M., Admission $1.00

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NOTICE FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT: During the Christmas and the New Year Holiday, Waste Management will maintain their regular pick-up schedule.

Charles O’Hare, Mayor

Office

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