New internet provider announced; two stop sign supplements installed

By Andy Chappell-Dick

The December 12 regular meeting of the Bluffton Council was brief, just 35 minutes. (Scroll down on https://www.bluffton-ohio.com/council for an archive of meeting packets.)

COMMITTEES

Utilities - Councilor Dave Steiner made an announcement that noticeably energized the room. The Cincinnati-based tech startup Omni Fiber will become Bluffton's newest internet service provider next year, when it plans to install a network of fiber optic cables in town. The new fiber optic cables will be added to existing AEP utility poles, and buried in neighborhoods where services are already underground.

The Omin Fiber website states that standard speeds are "up to" 500 Mbps, with enhanced packages of four times that speed. Costs will be comparable to the existing providers.

Tree Commission - Councilor Ben Stahl reported for the Tree Commission. Several tree maintenance tasks around town were handled by commission members themselves, rather than hiring out the work.

Cooperative planning with the neighborhood association of Riley Creek Village continues as they inventory dead and unwanted trees and research replacement trees.  Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn noted that Bluffton is on the verge of being awarded Tree City USA status for the thirtieth consecutive year.  

LEGISLATION

Two items of legislation were up for a vote, third readings of bills concerning water rates and curb replacement. Both passed 5-0. Councilor Phil Talavinia was absent.

REPORTS

Administration - In his Administrator's Report, Jesse Blackburn updated street digging schedules. He announced that a $10,000 grant had been secured from the Hancock Park District to help fund next year's State Route 103 Pathway work. This was possible because it adds connectivity to Bluffton's only park that is in Hancock County. (Quiz: can you name that park? Bonus points: Have you eaten at the picnic table in that park?) 

In a financial matter, Blackburn asked for a motion of Council to pay their annual commitment of $5,000 each to Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs.  The motion passed unanimously. 

In response to a query, Blackburn acknowledged the installation of several whirligigs mounted on top of stop signs at two intersections in town (Elm and Lawn, Spring and Riley). They're spinning white and red reflectors that might prompt drivers to stop, because apparently a giant red octagon emblazoned with "STOP" is not noticeable for many distracted drivers.

Safety Services - Chief Ryan Burkholder stated that the Police Department has received zero applications for its full-time officer opening, and that he will be speaking to the Boy Scouts on the Bill of Rights.  

Chief Jon Kinn reported that the Fire Department building has a new heating system. The old one, in a state of decrepitude, failed to restart this fall.

Chief Jan Basinger revealed that EMS has been very busy.

NEXT MEETING

7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 on the third floor of Town Hall, 154 N. Main St.