October 29 is Trick-or-Treat night and OHSAA girls soccer playoffs

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Village of Bluffton Council met on Monday, Sept. 14 with Mayor Richard Johnson calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting packet is available here,

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Streets Committee, Aug. 26
Joe Sehlhorst reported on a discussion regarding the need for RTA bus stop signs. Sehlhorst noted that you don't know bus service to Lima exists unless you see a bus go by. The committee recommends starting with two signs: one at town hall and one near the Marathon gas station at Main and College.

Tree Commission, Sept. 1
Ben Stahl reported that several residents have requested street trees. Types of trees and planting locations were reviewed with the commissioners. Next meeting: October 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Pathway Board, Sept. 3
Stahl reported that the board is reviewing potential members. Next meeting: October 1 at noon.

Parks & Recreation Committee, Sept. 9
Stahl reported on finalizing the design and construction timeline for the Legacy Park playground. He noted that project costs are rising, but that the Lions have also exceeded fundraising goals, so the project is still in the black.

LEGISLATION

Ordinance No. 04-2026 - 2nd Reading Passed
Establishing a procedure for the right of re-entry and reclamation of unused Maple Grove Cemetery lots.

Liz Gordon-Hancock reported that hundreds of lots are potentially available in the cemetery. Many unused lots were purchased in the early 1900s. Three to four hours of work resulted in zero descendants found. The ordinance would establish a procedure for the right of reentry and reclamation of unused lots consistent with Ohio Revised Code Section 517.073.

Ordinance 05-2026 - 1st Reading Passed
Mennonite Memorial Home has petitioned for a change in zoning for a parcel of 15 acres located at 10260 Augsburger Rd. from R-I Residentail to R-III Residential.

Resolution No. 17-2026 - 3rd Reading Passed
Authorizing the Village Administrator to submit funding applications and execute contracts for the N. Main St. Reconstruction Phase I Project.

Resolution No. 19-2026 - 1st Reading Passed
Accepting amounts and rates determined by the Allen County Budget Commission for the year beginning January 1, 2027.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION

Airport Taxilane Reconstruction
Taxilane reconstruction is being completed using several grants. The first pay application has been processed.

SR 103 Roundabout
With only a few things remaining to be checked on this project, the Village has received the first reimbursement, a payment of over $325K.

Legacy Park
Construction drawings for the concession stand-shelter house are being finalized. Work cannot start until early October but is scheduled for completion by this time next year.

Electricity Aggregation
The Village of Bluffton has been part of an Allen County aggregation group made up of twelve townships and six villages since 2012. Bluffton's next aggregation contract will be negotiated as a larger regional group of 4-5 counties. The current contract runs through November 2026.

2027 Swiss Park subdivision paving
The Village has identified 41 properties with curb failures in the Swiss Park subdivision. Owners are being given the opportunity to coordinate the replacement of the curb through their driveways.

Joint public meeting on September 29
A meeting of the Planning Commission and Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow Commission will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

BLUFFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lieutenant Matt Olgesbee noted that on Village Trick or Treat night, Thursday, October 29, there will also be two OHSAA athletic events with start times to be determined.

New part-time officer Shane Jenkins was introduced to Council.

GRAPHIC ABOVE

Business included

• Request for two RTA bus stop signs
• New electricity aggregation with 4-5 county group
• Seeking descendants of owners of unused Maple Grove cemetery plots
• Legacy Park: Playground prices and shelter house schedule
• Swiss Park curb replacements