Jefferson Council Swears In New Fiscal Officer, Bans New Data Center Permits for a Year

Jefferson Village Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday halting new data center permits in the village for up to twelve months, part of a night that also included a fiscal officer swearing in, a wastewater contract award, and two Street Department promotions. New Fiscal Officer Sworn In Council opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation led by Marianne Nancy on behalf of St. Joseph Calasanctius Church, and a swearing in ceremony for Jamie Arcaro. Arcaro officially became the village's first appointed Fiscal Officer on August 1, taking over from longtime Clerk Treasurer Patty Fisher, who retired July 31 after nearly thirty years with the village. Council voted last year to combine the elected clerk and treasurer positions into a single appointed Fiscal Officer role, and Arcaro was selected for the job in May following a hiring committee review. She previously worked for Ashtabula County for eleven years, most recently as a Workers Compensation and Risk Specialist. Data Center Moratorium Passed as Emergency Arcaro read Ordinance No. 26 O 3455 establishing a moratorium on accepting, filing, or issuing zoning and occupancy permits for any building, structure, or use change involving data centers as a principal use. The moratorium runs for a period not to exceed twelve months. Council suspended its normal three reading process and adopted the ordinance the same night by unanimous vote. The measure was declared an emergency, meaning it took effect immediately upon passage. Street Department Promotions and Transfers Approved Village Administrator Andria Manor recommended two Street Department personnel moves during her report, and council approved both later in the meeting. Bill Hitchcock will move laterally into the position of Senior Street Specialist, keeping his current pay rate and benefits, effective July 23. Blaze Burr was promoted to Working Foreman and Street Department Supervisor at step three of the village wage schedule, effective August 17. Council congratulated Burr on the promotion. Manor also updated council on several ongoing projects. Street crews have continued hanging traffic lines throughout the village and worked at the Recreation Center this week. Demolition of the former BP station is expected to begin soon, pending removal of the gas line. A council member asked about progress on vacant properties in the village. Manor said a letter went out July 28 and two more notices were sent this week with a shorter response window. Wastewater Treatment Plant Contract Awarded The village received a single bid for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Clarifier Improvements Phase 2 project when bids opened August 13. Union Industrial Contractors submitted the lone bid at $704,000. Manor recommended awarding the contract to Union Industrial Contractors based on a recommendation from the project's engineering firm, and council approved accepting the company's work on the project. Council also gave first reading to Resolution No. 26 R 3459, which would authorize the administrator to formally enter into a contract with Union Industrial Contractors for the project, listed as Project 40066. Separately, council adopted Resolution No. 26 R 3457 as an emergency measure, authorizing the administrator to apply for, accept, and enter into a Wastewater Pollution Control Loan Fund agreement to help finance construction of wastewater facility improvements. The resolution also designates the repayment source for the loan. Manor noted a bid opening for the East Walnut Street project is scheduled for August 27, and a generator is planned for installation at the village building. Fire Damage Security Fund Established Council gave third reading and adopted Ordinance No. 26 O 3445, amending Chapter 1610 of the village code to create a fire damage security fund under Ohio Revised Code 3929.86. A companion measure, Resolution No. 26 R 3446, establishes the fund itself, designated FDSF 705, for accounting purposes. Both were adopted the same night. Council also gave second reading to Ordinance No. 26 O 3450, a supplemental appropriations measure covering current expenses for the fiscal year ending December 31. A separate pay ordinance, No. 26 O 3458, setting pay for salaried, hourly, and part time employees, received first reading and was adopted as an emergency after council suspended its rules. Safe Streets Grant Accepted Council adopted Resolution No. 26 R 3456 as an emergency, authorizing the village administrator and fiscal officer to accept a Safe Streets Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal award is identified as number 693JJ32640569. The resolution also sets up the account structure required to use the grant funds in accordance with federal requirements. In a separate personnel item, council approved sending Jeromey Cummins to Child Sexual Abuse Investigation training scheduled for September 23 through 25. The cost to the village will be $325. Council also approved s