By Betsi Werling

The Village of Bluffton Council met on Monday, August 24 with Mayor Richard Johnson calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Reports included pickleball court funding, MHCO planning for duplexes near Willow Ridge, confirmation of unused cemetery lot ownership, long-term Village development planning, and Bluffton Airport taxilane repairs.

The meeting packet is available here.

COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS 

Reporting for the Parks & Recreation Committee, Ben Stahl shared that funding will need to be secured for proposed Pickleball courts near the Bluffton Family YMCA. An appraisal for land donated by the YMCA may be needed to get matching grants.

Reporting on the Planning Commission meeting of August 13, Tom Downey reviewed the discussion of rezoning land by the Willow Ridge long-term care facility. The next step is to hold a public hearing, which will be on September 28. The Planning Commission has recommended that the Willow Ridge property be rezoned from R-I to R-III (single-family to multiple-family, low density). Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio would like to begin with five duplex structures, with additional duplexes to be built in the future.

On August 19, the Planning Commission met with representatives from Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, Allen Economic Development Group and the Greater Lima Region. The meeting was a discussion of future development in Bluffton. The next step is to meet with the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow commission to begin long-term planning for future residential and industry construction.

Reporting for the Cemetery Board, Liz Gordon-Hancock explained that Maple Grove Cemetery records have been digitized and are searchable at https://bluffton.cemsites.com/. The Cemetery Board would like to reclaim unused lots. This will require contacting heirs to determine continued ownership of cemetery lots. 

LEGISLATION
Council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 04-2026, which seeks to amend Ordinance 03-2023 establishing a procedure for the right of re-entry and reclamation of unused cemetery lots and interment rights at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bluffton, Ohio. 

Council approved the 2nd reading of Resolution No. 17-2026, which would authorize the Village Administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission state capital improvement and/or local transportation improvement program(s) and to execute contracts for the North Main Street reconstruction Phase I Project as required. 

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
2026 maintenance and improvements to the Wastewater Collections System were presented by Bryan Lloyd. Five buried manholes were adjusted to grade and nine manholes were rehabilitated. The Village has located a combined sewer that was not replaced in 1984 and has a quote from Beaverdam Contracting for $19,850, to be completed next year.

Reporting on taxilane reconstruction at the Bluffton Airport, Jesse Blackburn noted that all storm pipes and underdrain tiles have been installed. The taxilane has been cut to grade and stabilized, with curing currently taking place.

MAYOR’S REPORT
Council approved special event requests presented by Mayor Richard Johnson

September 11 - Fallout event with road closure on College Ave between Main and Jackson; activities for students after the home football game.

October 3 - Bluffton University Homecoming events including a 5k Run and closure of part of Bentley Rd. for food truck vendors between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

SAFETY SERVICES
EMS Chief Noah Babcock reported that a joint Act of an Aggressor training event was done with the Bluffton Police Department. Future joint training will be done with the Fire Department. 

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder reported that during July, there were 658 police calls for service, 79 police chief calls and 29 traffic stops. Bluffton Police Department received a Drug Use Prevention Grant for $4,418.40 for use in the schools. Burkholder reported that storm damage repair scams are popping up. Make sure when you have work done, you know the company is reputable. 

The next Village of Bluffton council meeting will be held on Monday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m.