New, returning members sworn in at Sugarcreek Village Council meeting

Sugarcreek Mayor Walt Wilson administered the oath of office to council members Jason Hamsher, Matt Miller, Tony Martire and Tom Brown during the Jan. 5 village council meeting. Hamsher and Miller are incumbents. Hamsher was named council president pro tem.

“I want to focus on continuing to do good, positive things for the village,” Hamsher said.

“I visited this village 30 years ago and moved here four years ago," Martire said. "I love this place. I wanted to be part of the community and contribute."

Brown, a lifelong resident, has previously served on council and wants to give back to the community.

In other matters Far Sight Management from Dover did an asbestos and lead survey at an apartment building located at 227 N. Broadway St. for $4,000. Wilson said samples of the findings will arrive by Jan. 12, and a proposal for removal of the materials should be available by Jan. 16.

Wilson said costs for the living quarters at the fire station are $31,840 for materials from Carter Lumber in Sugarcreek, $17,900 for heating and air conditioning from Simpson, $12,487 for materials (labor will be donated) from Pleasant Valley Plumbing, $5,634 for a metal roofing quote, and $7,806 for furniture (which is paid). The total cost of these items is about $70,000. The village is waiting for an estimate for electrical work to be done at the fire station.

Council also did the following:

—Heard the village has no forever chemicals in its water. The village had joined a lawsuit to make sure the water was safe and free of any chemicals.

—Learned the fire department has replaced a hose through a grant. Council approved the department to give the hose no longer used to another fire department or the village.

—Approved 2026 permanent appropriations of $14,604,827 in all funds.

—Heard there were two waterline breaks on Buckeye and Ronsan streets. Both have been repaired.

—Held the fifth reading of an ordinance amending the zoning code of the village to address short-term rentals.

—Reminded residents that when there are two or more inches of snowfall, vehicles should be removed from the streets so village employees can plow the streets.

—Held the second reading of an ordinance to provide zoning of unzoned parcels of land annexed to the village.

—Passed a resolution allowing the village to sell unneeded, obsolete or unfit personal property by public auction during 2026. For-sale items must be approved by council.

Other information

Christmas trees will be picked up each Monday until Jan. 31. Trees should be placed on the curb.

The 2026 legislative committees were announced as follows:

—Finance, personnel, audit: Hamsher, Sam Beachy and Josh Jarvis.

—Safety: Beachy, Hamsher and Jarvis.

—Communication, public relations, refuse and recycling: Jarvis, Matt Miller and Tom Brown.

—Streets, water and sewer: Miller, Hamsher and Beachy.

—Lands, buildings, sidewalk and insurance: Martire, Miller and Brown.

—Economic development, parks and recreation: Brown, Jarvis and Martire.

The first name listed will serve as committee chairman.

The next meeting will be held Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at 410 S. Broadway St. in Sugarcreek. A public hearing on short-term Airbnbs will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Jan. 19 meeting was canceled due to the holiday.