Regula looks back on 12 years as commissioner
Regula
WAPAKONETA – Recently retired Auglaize County Commissioner Don Regula says he appreciated every opportunity he had to serve the people. Since his last day December 31, 2020, he’s had time to reflect on his years of public service and how he got there.
Regula said he decided to retire after 12 years as a commissioner because he felt it was time to get some fresh ideas in the office.
“I know my successor Dave Bambauer will offer a different perspective,” he said. He also said that Bambauer will find a great team to work with.
Council seeks bids for pool repairs
By Sandy Rose Schwieterman - For the Sidney Daily News
NEW BREMEN – The bill to repair the municipal pool is in, and at Monday night’s New Bremen Council meeting, the members decided how to proceed.
Village Administrator Brent Richter said Astro Pools had estimated that the cost to repair the multiple leaks at the municipal pool would be $98,000. Council agreed to put out requests this week for other bids to repair the pool. If no better bids are offered, Council agreed to proceed with the repair work with Astro.
The pool had lost almost a million gallons of water over the past summer. Inspection of the pool revealed that several pipes leading to and from the pool had developed leaks that allowed the water to escape all season. Richter said the pool, which was built in the late 1990’s, had schedule 40 pipe, which was the standard at the time. Current standards require the use of schedule 80 piping. Work will involve the replacement of all
Council OKs request to raise funds for park improvements
MINSTER – Water tower troubles and playground equipment improvements were part of the Minster Council meeting Tuesday night.
Minster residents Kim Wiford and Jamie Mummey received council approval to raise funds for improvements to the Paris Street Park Playground that would include accessible equipment. The two estimated it would take 2-3 years to raise the estimated $600,000 needed.
In his report to council, Village Administrator Don Harrod said the Ohio Street water tower developed a second small leak December 26th.
“The leak was located lower on the standpipe then the first leak,” said Harrod, “which allowed village employees to reach the leak with the bucket truck and drive a lag bolt into the hole and reduce the flow from the leak.”
Minster Schools reviews new COVID protocols
By Sandy Rose Schwieterman - For the Sidney Daily News
MINSTER New COVID protocols and future real estate tax renewals were topics at the Minster Board of Education meeting Monday night, Jan. 11.
Superintendent Brenda Boeke reported that Governor Mike DeWine has changed its guidance regarding quarantines following an in-classroom exposure in K-12 schools. The new policy dictates that students and teachers exposed to a COVID-positive person in school are no longer required to quarantine as long as the exposure occurred in a classroom setting and all students/teachers were wearing masks and following other appropriate protocols.
Ag program to purchase wielding booths
By Sandy Rose Schwieterman - For the Sidney Daily News
NEW KNOXVILLE – The New Knoxville Board of Education heard at their Monday night meeting, on Jan. 11, that the Ag program’s new welding booths will be a reality.
Superintendent Kim Waterman said that the school had received enough donation funding to submit a purchase order for two new welding booths and an exhaust system. The Ag program additions may possibly be available for students this spring, if installation goes as planned. Waterman reminded the Board that instructor Rusty Knapke’s goal is to have a total of four welding booths installed, at a cost of $4400 each, so donations are still being accepted. The most recent donation came from Bambauer Fertilizer and Seed. Others were New Knoxville Supply, Brett Fledderjohann and Tom and Diane Fledderjohann.