The Withee Village Board held their regular meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025. Under Community Input, Trustee Sue Kalepp asked about winter street parking enforcement. Chief of Police Patrick Fehlman said that Withee could do something similar to what Owen does. DPW Derek Schad could fill in the tickets and give them to the police. Larry Klabon asked if the new garbage cans are causing problems with plowing. Schad said they are fine if they are in the driveway. He goes around them if they are encroaching on the street. Schad said the residents don’t usually put them there, but sometimes the garbage haulers do when they empty them.

Clark County Health Officer Brittany Mews was at the meeting to ask the village to approve a Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Ordinance. She said the county passed the ordinance in November. It was based on the Wood County ordinance, which has been in place for over two years. Mews said the goal is to try to control access to these products locally. They are asking each municipality in the county to approve a similar ordinance in the interest of consistency. The county ordinance doesn’t allow these products to be sold within 750 feet of hospitals, churches, and youth serving organizations. It also doesn’t allow the products to be purchased by anyone under the age of 21. She said information on the ordinance was sent to all the retailers that are licensed by the health department. Businesses in place before January 1, when the ordinance took effect, will be grandfathered in. The board approved sending it to their attorney to do a village ordinance and approve it at their next meeting. Trustee Randy Shelton asked if it is in the school. Chief Fehlman said if they find it at school, they treat it as marijuana for purposes of a citation. Officer Haugstad said it is in the school, but it is better this year. Fehlman said it should just be outlawed, that hemp was allowed for other uses and it has been abused.

Under the Police Report, Chief Fehlman said that a new vehicle has been purchased. It was a good opportunity. He is working on bids to outfit it, then will bring the information to the board. Officer Scheffler has completed his training, but is currently on paternity leave. When he returns to work, he and Officer Haugstad will work opposite rotations, so someone will be on every night. Payment of police bills was approved.

There is an issue with the property line on parcel 191.0229.000 and sheds owned by adjoining property owners that have been placed on village property. The problem began around 2009-2010. The cost of surveying the property could be paid by the owners of the sheds. The board approved talking to the property owners to see if they were interested in having the property surveyed and then purchasing the property and to send it to Planning for a recommendation.

The board approved allowing village staff to apply for the League Safety Equipment Grant. It will provide $600 toward safety items. DPW Schad said that there were issues with the sewer at the intersection of Pine Street and County X. They will be using a camera to look at the line in both directions from the intersection. Pine Street was just redone and Schad is hoping they can at least get through the winter without having to dig it up.