Bluffton council accepted the retirement resignation of its fire chief, Dan Bowden on Nov. 23. (See the feature story on Bowden elsewhere on this page).

Bowden's replacement will be Bluffton-native Jon Kinn. The new chief is a 1993 Bluffton High School graduate and is employed by Chiles-Laman Funeral Home.

He has served on the fire department for eight years. The most recent two years he was a department captain. Before that he was a department lieutenant, also for two years. He and his wife, Mandy, live at 716 S. Main St.

In other council action, council okayed the first reading of a preliminary 2010 budget which totals approximately $2 million. The budget is similar in size to the 2009 budget.

Village employee John Bowers received a $1 an hour raise as a result of achieving his wastewater treatment III license.

The village granted the closing of Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 28, for the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce Blaze of Lights celebration.

Main Street will be closed from Elm to College and at the alleys on Cherry and Church near Main from 3 to 9 p.m.

Musical entertainment will begin on Main Street in front of the Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. At 4:55 p.m. will be a streetscape ribbon cutting in front of the town hall.

The Blaze of Lights parade will follow at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. the Ream holiday lights display will be turned on.