Antwerp Village Council Discusses Infrastructure, Zoning, and Semi-Truck Parking Concerns
ANTWERP, OH — The Antwerp Village Council convened Tuesday evening, February 18, 2025 to address a wide range of local issues, including a contract renewal for waste collection, a potential solar energy project, sidewalk maintenance, and ongoing concerns about semi-truck parking within the village limits.
Council Approves Ordinances and Waste Collection Contract
The meeting began with the approval of several ordinances and resolutions, including Ordinance 2025-02, which adopts the 2025 edition of the Ohio Basic Code. The council also passed an emergency ordinance to retain the services of a new zoning inspector and finalized a resolution authorizing a contract renewal with Real Waste Disposal, LLC.
The new waste collection contract, which marks the first price increase in eight years, will raise residential waste collection costs from approximately $8.80 to $9.50 per month per location. The rate remains below the $75,000 bid requirement, meaning the village did not need to seek competitive bids. The increase will take effect on April 1, appearing on utility bills issued that month.
Village Considers Solar Energy Lease for Unused Land
One of the major discussion points was a proposal from a solar energy company interested in leasing 25 acres of village-owned land near the wastewater treatment plant. The proposed agreement would span 40 years, including a six-year preparatory phase followed by 34 years of solar panel operations. The deal would generate nearly $1.7 million in revenue for the village over its duration.
Council members weighed the long-term benefits of the lease against other potential uses for the land, including selling it outright or keeping it available for future infrastructure needs. Some members expressed interest in shortening the lease term, with 30 years viewed as a more favorable option. The council agreed to continue discussions with the solar c
Ohio Attorney General, Dave Yost, travelled to Paulding County last night to provide entertainment to the Republican Christmas Dinner
Tonight's Council Meeting:
New Zoning Rules Approved at Antwerp Village Council Meeting on November 13
Antwerp Village Council Discusses Infrastructure, Emergency Ordinances, and Future Planning
The Antwerp Village Council convened on November 13, 2024 to discuss a range of issues, from emergency resolutions for local infrastructure projects to zoning matters and ordinance amendments. Council members and community representatives exchanged detailed updates, plans, and concerns during the meeting.
The meeting opened with the approval of minutes from the previous session and a review of the October finance report. Council members unanimously agreed to the reports, setting the tone for a cooperative discussion on pressing agenda items.
Council addressed Resolution 2024-23, an emergency resolution authorizing an expenditure exceeding $75,000 for engineering services related to the Canal-Wentworth Water Line and storm improvement project. The urgency of the resolution stems from a need to adhere to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) deadlines and a strategic adjustment to extend stormwater management to Erie Street. Council members also clarified that additional costs associated with the project would include fees to review the engineering plans to bore beneath the railroad. The resolution was adopted with full council approval.
Reconsidering Marijuana Dispensary Zoning Regulations:
Council then moved to an emergency reading of Ordinance 2024-17, which proposes rescinding Ordinance 2024-06. This previous ordinance placed restrictions on the location of medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries within certain zoning districts, including Antwerp’s downtown. A technical issue—the ordinance failed to pass by the necessary three-fourths majority—required the council to revisit the matter. After discussion, the council suspended the rules and voted to rescind the ordinance.
Amending Zoning and Building Ordinances:
The council also conducted emergency readin
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The Village Council met on August 14 in another hot council meeting starting with the visitors who asked for the library, that village tax payers pay, to be maintained adequately, including snow removal, as stated in the contract. In an emergency vote the Village Council approved cheaper electric rates. The council also approved a restricted zone for marijuana after Councilman Steiner asked if there could even be another dispensary if one was already going in at the Depot. Administrator Davis stated "no" because a one mile radius is required by state law. Administrator Davis gave an update on the water plant and water tower. Councilman Franks asked about Shaffer Road repair. That was denied again and the state is trying to get more Federal grants. The issue of denying a councilman the right to attend committee meetings was back on the list again with both sides giving reasons. Solicitor Cam Stanley was not there. Chief Clemens asked if there could be an executive session for the purpose of personnel. After the executive session Councilman Steiner asked about the hiring of a Building Inspector was going since that was supposed to be done 2 years ago.
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A fiery Antwerp Village Council Meeting took place on July 24 at City Hall. Regular items took place such as the expenditures, minutes and other Ohio law requirements for meetings.
There were numerous visitors there wanting answers about an upcoming ordinance changing how Mobile Home titles will be handled. The intent is that eventually all mobile homes will be in R-1-A zoning. There were concerns including those by council members and visitors, however, the visitors were told they couldn’t speak as part of the rules of the council. They would have to be registered ahead of time with the Fiscal Officer to have their three minutes. According to Ordinance 98-14 All new mobile home placements must be in an R-1-A district (mobile home parks).
Councilman Bill Boylan had introduced a motion for ordinance 2024-06 that would restrict marijuana locations outside of the downtown area. The vote failed with a 4-1 majority approval but due to it being an emergency, and one councilman missing.
Councilman Dean Rister made his discontent known to everyone concerning Councilman Steiner being at the Personnel Committee, recording the meeting for the public, on July 2. Councilman Smith chimed in stating he had contacted authorities around the state claiming that Steiner being there was illegal. When asked for the rule that stated a councilman couldn’t be at a committee meeting, they could show nothing, saying, “you would have to put the pieces of the puzzle together…” even though they had nearly a month to prepare. Rearranging any words as a puzzle one could get the laws to anything they wanted.
Councilman Steiner made a motion to get ODOT to repave SR 49 through town. Village Administrator Davis had been in contact with ODOT and had the papers prepared by ODOT to evaluate, remove the old asphalt down to the brick, and repave. Councilman Jordan asked the timeline of paving and Davis said it could be as early as 2025.
The council went into executive session then for discuss
The Personnel Committee of Antwerp met at the Depot July 2 to discuss hiring a Compliance Officer for all of those that the administration doesn't believe is conforming to the village of Antwerp rules, to be sent to mayor's court and fined. The result of this meeting was that a Compliance Officer isn't needed and to increase the communication and responsibilities of the Zoning Inspector. Also, to have the Police Chief, Village Administrator and Zoning Inspector to work together better on compliance.
The Antwerp Appeals Board met in a pre-planned meeting on July 2
The Antwerp Board of Appeals met to re-hear the case of the trailer on Wilcox St. after Paulding County Common Please Court Judge Beckman ruled to remand it back to the town because the town refused to send in the evidence requested by court from the from the original meeting.
Originally the board ruled unanimously in favor of the appeal that would remove the trailer, the board reversed their decision, unanimously, to throw out the appeal in favor of allowing the trailer to stay even though it violated numerous zoning laws of the town.
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The bridge is finally open at US 127 south of Sherwood!
Severe Storms hit Paulding County on Tuesday night and create havoc for the Melrose and Oakwood communities. Multiple cells covered over the eastern part of the county carrying damaging winds and tornadoes! The damage was recorded the day after. Visit our youtube channel and subscribe for more local videos!
Using our drones we can see the path tornado left in the field.
Caring & Sharing Food Pantry Ribbon Cutting & Open House
If you missed the Ribbon Cutting at the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry in Paulding, take a few moments to listen to C&S Board President Dan Bulau as he takes few minutes to talk about how C&S got to where they are today & who all helped make that happen.
