Hiram Village Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7:00pm
Rosser Municipal Building
11617 Garfield Rd.
Hiram, OH
Attendance:
Chris Szell, Council President
David Smith, Council Member
Juan Fernandez, Council Member
Chris Perme, Council Member
Ed Frato-Sweeney, Council Member
Nonvoting Attendees:
Anne Haynam, Mayor
Megan Fogel, Fiscal Officer
Keith Petersen, Solicitor
Brian Gregory, Chief of Police
Bill Byers, Fire Chief
Steven Schuller, Village Administrator and Zoning Inspector
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Anne Haynam at 7 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Haynam motioned to approve minutes from the Jan. 14, 2025, council meeting and proposed council agenda by general consent. During public comments, council reviewed an issue with a RITA filing by a community member who expressed concern that documentation that was turned into the village for taxes was lost and not processed to RITA. This misplacement resulted in the resident incurring an erroneous late fee. Resolution of the issue was proposed to be reconciled with the fiscal officer in private and shown to the sitting council members for a vote on reimbursing erroneous fee.
Village Business:
A new liability policy was presented to the council for review. The policy proposed included a detailed review of deductibles, new buildings assessed, systems, property and required list of people in the village that handle finances. Discussion with the representative from Acrisure covered deductibles, items presented for additional coverage and renewals. Key metrics proposed in the new policy included $3 million per occurrence limit; all new facilities covered, including water tower; theft/fraud of digital and cash currency; $1 million cybercrime coverage; $3 million auto coverage. Council members and the mayor were given a copy of policy to review and determine final coverage before policy to take effect April 1.
Department Reports:
Complete reports from all departments were provided to council members. During the meeting, a summary of the departmental reports were shared with the council and attendees.
The Mayor’s Report summary was presented by Haynam. The report included notes from monthly meeting with Hiram College president. There was some discussion on Parks and Recreation adding a campsite in the village to support the effort of Hiram Village becoming a part of the Buckeye Trail towns.
Additional notes came from the mayor on the Economic Development Committee. She proposed dissolving the Council Committee and recommended bringing together a task force of diversified stakeholders that would include residents from Hiram Township, Hiram Village and include both council and non-council members.
“Economic development creates more value for the village residents,” Haynam said. “The change fits the changing culture, shifting momentum and supports growing from the ground up.”
The Zoning Report summary was presented by Steven Schuller, including an additional zoning renewal request on 65 acres of farmland on state Route 82. The renewal of “Application of placement of farmland in an agricultural district” was presented by Smith, seconded by Frato-Sweeney. Additionally, late fees and interest for water/sewer in the village are in effect. There will be a 60-day limit before shut-off and payment plans have been presented to all delinquent accounts.
The Safety Services Report summary was presented by Fire Chief Bill Byers. The department recently swore in two new firefighters who are in paramedic school with fire cards from Stark State. A safety event log was submitted to council and Byers acknowledged equipment is holding up well.
The Police Report summary was presented by Chief of Police Brian Gregory. The department responded to 11 domestic calls. Narcan training will be taking place in April at Hiram College. There will be a fundraising breakfast for the department Saturday, April 5.
The Financial Report summary was presented by Haynam. In attempting to close the books for 2024, there were irregular findings by the new fiscal officer. The state auditor has recommended the books for 2024 be closed and irregularities be investigated by a special task force.
Legislation:
The council reviewed ord. 22-25-02 and proposed amending how news is required to be posted to the community, so that requirements change to include new forms of digital media.
Resolution 22-25-04 – Resolution to allow mayor and fiscal officer to enter into contract with Portage County 911 dispatch services for the Hiram Village fire department. Byers praised the dispatch services for their services during the last period and Szell clarified that the dispatch contract is on a three-year period that can be cancelled with 30 days notice.
New Business:
Haynam observed a discrepancy in the interest rate issued on accounts at Middlefield Bank and brought to the attention of Middlefield Bank for correction. Corrections are in place to backdate the negotiated interest rate of 5.4% percent. The next interest period will run from January to June 2025 at a rate of 4.85% on money market and checking.
A relationship manager from Huntington Bank shared a proposal to do business with Hiram Village and have Huntington Bank hold assets for the village. The proposal included elite service, cyber security protection, modernized technology platform and FDIC-insured accounts.
Schuller shared that the Ohio Health Benefits renewal is May 1 for Anthem insurance. Rates will be published 60-90 days prior and are projected to increase by 10-15%. Smith raised concern that it would be diligent to review more competitive options.
Haynam updated the council that a letter was received from RITA indicating there were $24,000 of delinquent RITA payments tied to eight different accounts. Council choose to have RITA pursue reclaiming funds on these accounts. Motion made by Szell, seconded by Fernandez.
Final item of new business was to fill an open council seat. The deadline for the seat to be filled was approaching and Szell proposed the nomination of Suzann Bennett, seconded by Frato-Sweeny. Role call recorded a 3-2 vote with Fernandez, Perme and Szell voting to approve nomination and Smith and Frato-Sweeny voted in opposition.
Session adjourned.
Correction: An earlier version of this report misspelled the mayor’s last name.
