Jan Basinger, Bluffton EMS chief and member of the village public works department, will be the new Bluffton operator of records of its waste water plant.

The decision was made during a Bluffton council personnel committee meeting on Jan. 8, and reported to council on Jan. 11.

Basinger replaces Dan Bowden, who retired from the position at the end of 2020. Basinger holds a Class II license and is working on a Class II license, required for the position.

In other council business not previously reported on the Icon, the village will award this year’s brush grinding to Tawa Mulch for $6,480, according to Jesse Blackburn, village administrator.

“This would include the removal of the leaves and up to 50 percent of the mulch,” Blackburn said.

“We continue to hold a large stockpile of mulch from mid-summer grinding,” he said, adding that if the village keeps 50 percent of the new material along with the old, it would be sufficient for 2021.

“Removing the leaves and mulch will be a benefit to allow room for the final area of the brush dump to be paved,” he said. “The public works department is exploring ideas of how to separate yard waste from other brush to make a better quality mulch product along with a composting type material.”

Council appointed Dave Miller to the board of zoning and building appeals with Tony Pinks and Tom Downey as alternates. Bill Place was appointed to the tree commission. Terry Hunt’s resignation from the EMS was accepted. Jordin Basinger was hired as an EMT.

The Jan. 11 council packet is attached at the bottom of this story.