It was the end of an era. It was the beginning of an era.

Monday's council meeting saw the departure of Fred Rodabaugh, who served as Bluffton mayor for the past 10 years and as a council member for 22 years. The meeting saw the swearing in of Eric Fulcomer as Bluffton's new mayor and of new council member, Joe Sehlhorst. Dennis Gallant was also sworn in to his reelected council term.

With Fulcomer's resignation from council to become mayor, a vacancy exists on council. In December council invited village residents to apply for the vacancy. On Monday council set Wednesday, Jan. 18, as the deadline for accepting applications.

Dennis Gallant, newly elected council president, said that four persons have indicated an interest in filling the vacancy. Council decided to interview all candidates for the spot. The first interviews will take place at 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 23, prior to the 8 p.m. council meeting. Interviews will also take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Nancy Kindle, village fiscal officer, informed council that 66 delinquent village income tax cases are being handed over to Allen County courts. She indicated that nearly two-third of those cases involve persons who have not filed taxes. The other third are persons who has not paid their taxes.

Dick Boehr updated council on the Jefferson Street cemetery project. It is Boehr's intention to turn the cemetery into a community park. Presently the gravestones at the cemetery are being uncovered and removed. They will eventually return to the "park" and will be placed in a display area.

As a matter of reorganization, council chose to continue to meet at 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month in the town hall.