NEW BREMEN – Debate over the decision to not fill a park position was part of the Monday night, June 8, New Bremen Council meeting.

Kim Prueter asked the council to reconsider their decision to not hire a new person for the position of park manager. About 15 other residents came to support her. Prueter, a former park manager herself, did not think council had fully considered the pros and cons of not filling the position.

Council President Bob Parker said, although there had already been debate over whether or not to fill the position, the COVID pandemic had put a halt to any plans. They agreed to discuss the matter with residents at the next council meeting.

Village Administrator Chris Dicke reported a serious leak at the municipal pool may delay the opening in mid-June. She said they have not yet discovered where several thousand gallons of water was escaping from the pool on a daily basis. Dicke said the Auglaize County Health Department was scheduled to come Thursday to test the water for proper chemical levels. But, she said, if they could not find the leak before then, they may have to delay the reopening of the pool on June 15.

In council action, a first reading was approved of an ordinance to purchase a new $100,000 control panel for the wastewater and water plant. Council members were not certain, given the current financial uncertainty, whether to make the move to buy a new unit but wanted to have time to debate the issue. They were told the current control panel is old enough that service is more frequent and parts are hard to come by. “Since this concerns our water supply,” said Parker, “we need to decide what is the wisest move.”

Council also approved the second reading of a resolution accepting a bid of $$60,251 from Stolle Insurance for the renewal of the annual property, vehicle, and equipment insurance policy. The bill this year is approximately $1000 over last year’s cost.

Council also approved a second reading of an ordinance to change the stop light to a four way stop sign at the intersection of Plum and Washington streets.

Jacob Larger, finance committee chair said they had gone through the latest bank reconciliation documents and that everything looked good.

Parker also said the mayor’s court fines, fees, and forfeitures total was $512 in May.