The cost of health insurance hit home on Dec. 13. Bluffton council renewed its health insurance for 2011 with Medical Mutual of Ohio. The cost increase to the village is 49 percent over 2010 rates.

Council also approved a three-year contract extension Stephen Chamberlain as village solicitor at the same compensation level as the previous contract.

Both those actions followed a 20-minute executive session by council.

In village business taking place during open session, Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council that he will recommend prohibiting of semi-truck traffic on the new Spring Street bridge. This is due to the curve on the north side of the bridge.

"I am recommending that we approve and post signs indicating no semi-traffic permitted going north on Spring Street from Riley and no through trucks traveling south on Spring Street from Snider Road," he told council.

Council may act on the request later this month.

Richard Boehr attended the meeting and asked for an update on filing the deed of the Jefferson Street cemetery with the county. He reminded council that he delivered the deed, signed by the Richland Township trustees to the council on Oct. 12. Boehr hopes to have the village turn the cemetery into a park.

Concerning additional street matters, council agreed to paint "stop" bars placed on the alley from Cherry to College behind the businesses and library.

Council accepted a quote of $10,490 from County Electric, Ottawa, for work connecting the service department garage and the old pump station to the generator located at the water pumping station on Spring Street.

Mehaffie informed council of a request to close an alley between 120 and 122 Grove St. He said that he must first determine whether the village has utilities that lie within the existing alley before action is taken.

Jan Basinger passed the Wastewater I operator's exam in November. He received a wage adjustment on Dec. 13.

Council approved $81,630 in bills. Those bills are listed on an attachment at the bottom of this story.

Council calendar

Dec. 21 - Airport Advisory Commission, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 - Final regular council meeting of 2010, 8 p.m.