GALION—On Tuesday evening, Galion’s city council met for their monthly meeting.

The first ordinance discussed for the evening was Ordinance No. 2020-74, which authorizes the Safety-Service Director to accept certain easements and acquisitions of property relating to the four parcels adjacent to the St. Rte. 98 widening project. The Safety-Service Director would also be allowed to execute any and all documents relating to and to pay the owners of the aforementioned parcels the negotiated amounts for the acquisition of the property rights.

“These three parcels that are coming, and any other parcels that are being donated to the city, I want to, and I think the whole city should extend their gratitude and thanks to these people for donating these parcels,” council member Gail Baldinger said.

Three of the parcels mentioned in the ordinance are being donated, with all four of them being of a 300-dollar value. Most parcels being donated are temporary easements. Those who donated are Central State, KFC, Grace Point, and Thomas Sautter.

This ordinance was passed with an emergency clause.

With this meeting being auditor Treisch’s last meeting, he addressed the council with some closing statements.

“In recent months I’ve had more experience with our EMS than most people should have, and I wish to commend Chief Jackson and those guys because they do an outstanding job,” Treisch started. “I’d also like to thank council and the mayor; it’s been an interesting seven years in which I think a lot was accomplished, and I appreciate being part of that. I’d particularly like to thank my staff—Eunice and April— particularly in the last few weeks where they’ve stepped up and beyond the call of duty for that. It’s been fun working with all of you, and I look forward to watching very few, but occasional council meetings in the future.”

Mayor O’Leary, after giving his regards to Treisch on his retirement and dedication to the city, announced that he has the intent to appoint Gail Baldinger, a current council member, as the next auditor for the city of Galion to complete Treisch’s unexpired term.

“Gail’s willingness to step forward at this point is commendable, and I thank him a lot for that. I believe this provides a combination among the most knowledgeable people on city finance, and somebody who is familiar with how the operations have been going the last several years,” O’Leary said.

Baldinger stated that it’s an honor to have the position offered to him. “I’ve been in public service for a little better than eleven years now on city council. Just about the whole time I’ve served on the finance committee either as a member or as the chair.”

With Baldinger accepting the position, that leaves a vacancy on council that will need filled asap. The city will put out info on how to apply to potentially be a council member in the coming days.

Baldinger will begin as auditor on Monday, November 30.