Towpath Radio Grand Rapids Council Meets, Town Hall Parking Lot Discussed (Audio)
Written by Towpath Radio on November 2, 2023
Grand Rapids Village Council met on Monday, October 23, inside the old fire hall, for a regularly scheduled meeting.
Council voted to approve bills from September 22 through October 19 in the amount of $36,729.09. Council approved payment of bills.
Mayor John Berry spoke about the success of the Applebutter Festival. Berry stated there were very few issues, but pointed to food trailers being parked in the right-of-way on Front Street that will be addressed next year. Berry also stated that the brick repair is complete on the Thurston Building on Front Street, however the building to the west of it is in need of repair.
Administrator Chad Beyer spoke about adding a parking lot to the west of Grand Rapids Town Hall. He stated it would be stone at first and then eventually paved over. Beyer said the garage that sits next to Town Hall would need to be torn down. Councilperson Sylvain addressed Beyer stating that the garage belonged to her and that the issue would be taken to court. According to the Wood County Auditor’s map, the white shed is split between Sylvain’s property and village property, however, according to the auditor’s property report, the structure has been in place for decades.
Mayor Berry presented the first reading of an ordinance that would require all village employees and elected officials to utilize direct deposit for all payments coming from the village. Councilperson Sylvain stated that she wanted to donate her check to the village and felt she was the only member of council affected by the ordinance. After a brief debate, council stated that former solicitor Mike Marsh donated his salary by cashing his checks and then donated them back, allowing him to be in compliance with the tax code.
Prior to adjourning, Mayor Berry stated that council meetings will possibly be moving back to the Town Hall council chambers.
The next meeting will be Monday, November 13 at 7 p.m. inside the old fire hall on Front Street.
Towpath Radio reached out to the Village of Grand Rapids via a records request and obtained an audio recording of this meeting, which can be heard in full below.
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Peggy Seab On November 3, 2023 at 5:34 am
Thank you Towpath for keeping the residents informed. I am opposed to placing a parking lot on the west side of the Town Hall. In my opinion, it will detract from the beauty of the building and surrounding area. Also the residents across the proposed parking area will be subjected to the headlights of cars after dark pulling in and out of this newly proposed parking area.