Bowerston council advances sewer project, completes series of approvals

At the Nov. 18 Bowerston Village Council meeting, Mayor Paula Beamer updated council on the village sewer project. She, Village Administrator Bart Busby and Utility Operator Jeremiah Warner attended a preconstruction meeting earlier that day with contractors.

Matt Miller of Quicksall & Associates attended the council meeting to answer procedural questions. He and Beamer outlined the project steps and timeline. Busby emphasized the importance of contractors staying on schedule because the village’s grant funding has strict expiration dates. Miller assured council that funding will be used in the proper order so no money is lost.

Council unanimously authorized Beamer to sign an agreement with the EPA for water and sewer construction loans, as well as contracts one and two for the sewer projects.

New utility clerk Juliet Bryant presented a report on monthly billing activities. She said she has been training closely with Beamer. Bryant resigned as council president in October to become the village clerk and had been serving her second council term.

In other action:

— Approved a contract with Quicksall & Associates for administrative service for project funding.

— Heard the second readings of Ordinances 2025-15 and 2025-16, increasing water and sewer rates in 2026.

— Passed Resolution 31-2025 establishing a utility account credit deposit procedure.

— Approved Resolution 32-2025 creating a utility account closing procedure.

— Passed Resolution 33-2025 authorizing the mayor to dispose of excess property valued at less than $1,000.

— Approved Resolution 34-2025 to move funds within the General Fund.

— Passed Resolution 35-2025 authorizing the mayor to accept bids for a garage roof project.

— Approved Ordinance 2025-17 setting the 2026 salary for legal counsel at $400 per month.

— Passed Ordinance 2025-18 on sales tax reimbursement after hearing from Solicitor James Ong.

— Accepted donations from Beamer: one desk, two chairs, a monitor, curtains, two tablecloths and a CAT 5 switch.

— Heard a report from Busby and approved both a right-of-way permit and a RUMA agreement he prepared with Ong.

— Heard a reminder that the village will convert to the Regional Income Tax Agency Jan. 1, 2026.

— Approved transferring an additional $400,000 from Unified Bank to STAR Ohio.

— Learned that Christmas in the Park will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. in Village Hall.