Honoring the Past, Committed to the Future.
Spanning two counties (Fulton and Lucas), the Village of Swanton honors its rich history and is committed to the future of this vibrant community, of more than 3,800 people in the Village incorporated limits and more than 14,000 people, total, in the 43558 zip code. Read more about the Village of Swanton
Announcements
- 2022 Recap & What’s to come in 2023!
Let’s take a quick look at what your Village Council accomplished in 2022.
First of all you elected 4 brand new individuals to Village Council. They all expressed a desire for transparency and growth. And they hit the ground running with their colleagues.
One of the very first actions they took was to establish a Live Streaming Policy that promotes greater access and awareness of the issues before the village and how they approach decision making. Now anyone may watch a Council, Commission, or Committee meeting on their computer in real time or at their leisure. And, by the way, a new microphone has been installed so meetings can be more clearly heard. It will be in operation at the next Council meeting.
The next action council took was to establish an Economic Development Commission. That happened last September. An introduction and orientation of the new Economic Development Commissioners will take place on February 8th. The new commissioners will be announced at the next Council meeting on February13th. The purpose of this commission will be to work to develop a plan for economic growth. Someone once said that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The person who plants the tree likely will never sit under the shade it offers nor enjoy the fruit that it bears. Similarly, the establishment of an Economic Development Commission is that seed that is being planted. It is a beginning, albeit long overdue.
Council also approved the establishment of a Dedicated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). Council held three reading of this ordinance and listened to the input from many community members. They modified the original proposal in response to residents’ input and concerns. The DORA has been approved by the State of Ohio, signage has been ordered and the establishments have been given state approval.
This past year we also saw several businesses give their buildings a much-appreciated face lift. We are looking forward to even more improvements this spring and summer.
You also may have noticed that the village contracted to have about 600 sidewalk sections ground down. This was much needed and appreciated. Sidewalks sections that protruded less than two inches were ground flat.
Memorial Park has a brand-new fantastic playground area.
The brush pick-up policy has been changed to better accommodate the needs of the residents
Sewer separation and road repaving projects were completed.
We hired a new Fire Chief, Village Administrator, and Billing Clerk. Several firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics were also added to the village roster.
And get ready for a new pizza shop to open on Airport Highway and a new retail shop to open in the space left vacant by Younique Boutique. A child day care will also be opening next to the Board of Education.
These are exciting times for Swanton. Watch us grow!
Yours Truly,
Mayor Neil Toeppe - Project 8&9 Update & Planning Commision Meeting
On July 13, 2022 Mayor Neil Toeppe, Public Service Superintendent Neil Tedrow and Village Administrator Shannon Shulters completed the Project 8&9 Sewer Separation walk through with Jones & Henry Engineers and Underground Utilities to address the concerns of residents regarding the greater than an inch drop off from driveway to road and the current grass growing being mainly weeds. It was assured that concerns and issues would be taken care of this fall.
The orginally scheduled July 5, 2022 Planning Commission took place on July 13, 2022 at 6:30 PM. Special Public Hearing was called to order to conduct a Site Plan Review for 10 Turtle Creek. The applicant desires to construct a commercial building at 10 Turtle Creek named Birchwood Meadow Event Venue. The intent of the building is to house various events such as weddings and conferences. Mayor Toeppe stated that the only concerns from CT, in which he had already addressed prior to the meeting, were what types of flowers/trees would be planted along with the type of wood that would be used for the sign. Mayor Toeppe assured CT that the Village of Swanton would handle making sure the business complied with the ordinances when it came time to plant flowers/trees and put up a sign. Mr. DeGood’s only recommendation to Mr. & Mrs. Mills is to make sure they contact the Ohio Department of Forestry to get approval of species being planted. Mr. Erdman’s concern was what type of lighting would be used in the parking lot. Mr. & Mrs. Mills assured the Planning Commission that it would be low and soft lighting but enough to ensure safety.
- New Village Administrator
At the June 27th Swanton Village Council meeting, Shannon Shulters was hired to become the next Village Administrator, replacing Rosanna Hoelzle who had submitted her resignation with an effective date of July 5, 2022. Shannon started on July, 11 2022. “It’s only been a few days, but I am hitting the ground running, I am excited to be a part of the Village of Swanton and look forward to working with the community as a whole.”
- Swanton Fire and Rescue Accepting Applications
The Swanton Fire and Rescue Division is looking to fill full time and part time positions. The ideal applicant should possess great character including but not limited to: must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and must be able to work as part of a team in completion of emergent and non-emergent tasks. Valid State of Ohio Firefighter I and EMT certifications required; Paramedic certification preferred. If you do not possess one or both of these certifications, please contact SFRD to discuss other options.
- May 12- Project 8 & 9
Here is an update related to Project 8 & 9. Everything is weather contingent and barring any unforeseen issues
- May 12: Mill Browning and Sanderson
- May 13: Asphalt scratch course on Browning and Sanderson
- On May 12 and 13 work on Browning will not start until after 8:00am to allow the bus traffic to clear.
- It is anticipated that the work will be completed each day ahead of the bus traffic at 3:00.
- May 16 and 17: Place asphalt base on Mettabrook
- May 18, 19 and 20: Prepare driveway approaches on Mettabrook for concrete. The following week, Smith Paving to complete concrete placement.
- May 19 and 20: Remove temporary concrete in Main Street road crossing and plate until asphalt is placed.