BUCYRUS—New Bucyrus City Council President Jenny Vermillion successfully presided over her first city council meeting Tuesday.

Crawford County Commissioners Doug Weisenauer and Tim Ley were in attendance to discuss the county’s plans to spend their stimulus dollars on waterline expansions.

Commissioner Weisenauer addressed the council to ask for help to cover basic engineering and EPA costs.

Weisenauer said commissioners needed an estimated $380,000.00 commitment from the city. Weisenauer said the commissioner’s talked with the Mayors of all the cities and villages over the last few months to determine needs out in the community for which to spend their stimulus dollars.

The $380,000.00 represents the budget shortfall to complete three projects in the county. The total project costs are several million dollars. He said the projects were divided between Bucyrus, Crestline, and Galion based on a number of factors, including population. Weisenauer said to be fair to Galion and Crestline. They wanted to ask Bucyrus to chip in.

Weisenauer explained the three projects.

The first project would connect Stetzer Road to Old 30 and Route 602, going north and then back down Stetzer to where the current project ends. Weisenauer said it would result in a continuous loop of water around the Landfill. It would prevent stagnant water, and if there are any issues at the Landfill in the future, the community would be protected.

The second project would allow Route 330 to connect by Wynford, go to Oceola, to the Crawford Wyandot County Line and go south to Nevada-Wynford Rd. then connect to the city’s project going to Nevada. This would provide a continuous loop of water, avoiding stagnant water. Weisenauer said the residents are excited, and they really need the water. The project would provide water to two area campgrounds as well.

The third project involves the Sulpher Springs area picking up the Stetzer Road project going north on Locust-Grove Road, into Sulpher Springs, and then back down to Route 98 and the Water Treatment Plant, providing another loop of water and preventing stagnant water.

Weisenauer noted that the costs are estimates and the Commissioners plan to go ahead and start with the engineering. “We just ask the Bucyrus City to help with the engineering and EPA fees. We request that it be put in the budget for next year.” Weisenauer said.

Weisenauer said the fees could either be paid to contractors directly or reimbursed to the county.

“The goal is once the project is done, it will be turned over to the city. You will own it. The county will spend their stimulus money to put the pipe in the ground.” Weisenauer said.

Weisenauer asked for a letter from the city letting Commissioners know their intentions as soon as possible.

The matter was referred to the Finance and Services Committee for further review.

Mayor Jeff Reser thanked the Commissioners for their vision to help those in the county with well issues; “it’s a win for those folks, and it’s certainly a win for Bucyrus residents. So thank you for that,” Reser said.

Weisenauer said residents are not required by law to tie into the water lines. He said it was up to the city if they wanted to charge residents a fee to tie into the lines.

“We’ve been discussing it for years, and now we have the funds to do it,” Weisenauer said.

In other council business, a request for a Class class B liquor permit was received from the former Swifty gas station owners on Hopley Avenue. The matter was referred to committee for discussion.

Mayor Reser gave his first in-person report for some time. He welcomed interim Council President Jenny Vermillion and said he looked forward to working with her.

Reser reported to council that the Delta Covid Variant is rampant in the city. He noted that the hospital is at capacity and that ventilators are in short supply. He noted that even vaccinated people are suffering from the variant and encouraged the unvaccinated to take the vaccination and practice good hygiene, mask-wearing, and social distancing. He encouraged citizens to consider the health of others.

Reser read the report of City Safety-Service Director Jeff Wagner, who was not in attendance.

After five years of working with Aldi’s Reser announced they are set to open on Thursday.

Reser congratulated The Bucyrus City Fire Department, represented by Firefighters Brett Young and Greg Hershler. The Department raised $5000.00 for the annual “ Giving Muscular Dystrophy The Boot” drive held last weekend.

Reser announced the return of the annual Spooktacular to be held at Aumiller Park on October 16th from 4-7 pm.

Trick Or Treat in Bucyrus is scheduled for October 31st from 2-4 pm. Reser also thanked all involved with the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival for a great festival and commended them on their cleanup efforts immediately following the close of the festival.

Finally, Reser announced the city was granted 100% of the funding for the airport runway expansion. The expansion will not cost the city any money.

The next council meeting is scheduled for September 21st.