New Athens Council approves legislation on video fees and water line maintenance

Village council approved two pieces of legislation at its Dec. 9 meeting. Members present were Matt Littman, Lillie Monahan, Toby Weber, Joe Tomolonis and Chris Toole, along with Mayor Joe Petro.

The first measure, Resolution 2025-07, accepts video service provider fees of 5% of gross revenue received from video services provided by MCTV. The fee will be paid to the village as a franchise fee.

Council then passed Ordinance 2025-08, which revokes a 1970s ordinance that assigned responsibility to the village for maintaining residential water lines after one year.

“The Village Council finds it necessary to immediately repeal the previous ordinance for the immediate preservation by clarifying maintenance responsibilities and avoiding potential financial liabilities that could impact the water system’s operation and fiscal integrity of the village,” the legislation stated. A motion by Littman to suspend the rules was seconded by Monahan, and the ordinance was read as an emergency.

Under old business, the village is still searching for a sewer operator of record. Officials are working with RCAP and will hold a Zoom meeting at the January 2026 council meeting to discuss proposed water and sewer rate increases. The sewer plant must be rehabilitated, and the village is waiting for a proposal from W.E. Quicksall and Associates. To qualify for financing, the village cannot operate in the red, which it has for many years.

ODOT is also requiring the village to relocate a waterline. The village must submit a plan and obtain state permits. Zeroski Excavating will complete the relocation.

The next regular meeting is Jan. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m.