It seems the city of Napoleon has been through this before- this issue of considering a central dispatch for the entire Henry County.   More information on the subject was presented at a Monday meeting of the dispatch commission, set-up by Napoleon Council.           That commission has been looking at other cities and their systems; and trying to determine if money can be saved by centralizing dispatch.

But maybe money isn’t the only issue here.   Napoleon Police Chief Bob Weitzel says another group debated this same topic in the 1980's and 2006.  The Napoleon dispatch commission will present their information to city council this coming Monday.   They were not created to make a recommendation; but only to provide information.   Council will make a final decision as to whether the city of Napoleon would be better with it’s own dispatch system, or be incorporated with the Henry County sheriff’s office.

The financial situation was discussed for the Napoleon school board of education Monday night, and teaching contracts were approved for the coming school year.   Varsity Coaches that do not teach had their contracts approved during the Monday session, including Tim Badenhop in basketball, Chris Delfavero in boys soccer, Mike Murphy in girls soccer, Sean Sonnenberg in swimming, Nathan Butler in girls tennis, Natasha Buehrer and Dawn Cerrone,  along with Mike Nye in Water polo.

The five-year financial forecast indicates Napoleon schools are spending 700,000 more dollars than they are taking-in this year.   That’s even with a pay freeze for all employees.  It’s likely more reductions will have to take place without additional revenue.

The update on the Napoleon school facilities project indicates the new electrical service will be installed at the high school in July.  Foundation work for the junior high addition could get underway in August or September, and continue through the winter and spring.       Concerning Napoleon’s attempt to purchase land for the new elementary building, a mediation session with the property owner is set for sometime in June.

                                    The Napoleon school board accepted the resignation of Paula Miller as kindergarten teacher, after serving the district for 36 years.             

               Other resignations included high school social studies teacher Heather Shearer, and aides-Kaycee Shaeffer and Theresa Weaver.       New additions to the Napoleon staff include Sarah Aschemeier in high school math.

And lunch prices will be going up by 15 cents for the next school year, affecting grades kindergarten through adult.   No changes were made in the price for breakfast.

The 43^rd commencement ceremony at Northwest State Community College was held on Saturday, with 477 graduates earning degrees and certificates.   Those graduates represent the programs of Allied Health and Public Services, Arts and Sciences, Business Technologies, along with Engineering Technologies and Nursing.

Tamara Spillis of Napoleon represented the 2013 class, and was commencement speaker.  She received an Associate of Science Degree, and graduated Magna Cum  Laude .

Keynote speaker for the graduation at Northwest State Community College was Dr. Marcia Sloan Latta, owner of the consulting firm Latta Strategies.

                        The outstanding student award was presented to Christina Tracy of Defiance; who graduated Summa  Cum Laude with an associate of applied science degree in nursing.

A second reading was approved for rates hikes in water and sewer rates for the village of Liberty Center.  That action took place at this week’s meeting of Liberty Center council.                 Council also passed a first reading on an ordinance to establish a water meter fund; to pay for new equipment.        Liberty Center Council was able to put over $207,000 toward paying off the debt on the village water line.   By paying that loan early, the village will save $38,000 on interest costs.                            Officials from Liberty Center met with Napoleon in a work-session for the new water treatment plant in Napoleon.   USDA officials were also part of the session.   It looks like the project will utilize some loan and grant money to help pay for a portion of the project.

And Liberty Center is talking about hosting a golf fund-raising outing on June 1^st, with proceeds to benefit the Liberty Center youth league.

A youth from Ottawa was taken into custody in connection with a crime scene that left two teenagers dead in Putnam County.   Ottawa Police received a call that Columbus law officers had found a vehicle that was missing from the El Crest Trailer Court in Ottawa.    17 year old Michael Fay of Ottawa was found with that vehicle in Columbus; and has been brought back to Putnam County for a juvenile court hearing.  

During an interview with Fay, he confirmed that a crime had been committed at the trailer court in Ottawa; and he informed officers where the victims of that crime could be found.   The bodies of 17 year old Blake Romes, and 14 year old Blaine Romes were recovered, at a location that has not been disclosed by Ottawa Police.    Autopsies are being performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Because the case involves juveniles, few details are being released in this case.

The Fulton County Commissioners opened bids for two construction projects that will likely get underway this spring or summer.   Improvements are planned for the senior center parking lot; and those bids ranged from about $100,000, up to a high over $285,000.             Proposals were also reviewed for a paving project in the village of Lyons.   Both bids for that project were under the engineer’s estimate of $80,500.     No action was taken on those bids at this point.

Fulton County Commissioners were also informed, the FAA will be conducting an aeronautical study on an antenna tower in Wauseon because it exceeds obstruction standards.

The Four County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services took the first step toward placing a seven-tenths mill renewal levy on the ballot in November.   That action took place at the board’s Thursday meeting, with a resolution, asking the Defiance County auditor to certify the district’s current valuation.          The millage was first approved in 1989, and has been approved four times since then, by voters in Henry, Fulton, Defiance, and Williams Counties.         This levy fund services in mental health for lower income residents on a sliding fee basis.              Last year, revenue from two different seven-tenths mill levies made-up about 40% of the Adam’s Board’s 10.2 million dollar budget.

The proposal to construct a second bridge over the Maumee River in Napoleon is picking up steam.   The Henry County Commissioners got the latest update on the project during their session today (Thur.), when county engineer-Tim Schumm and Patrick McColley, reported on progress of the grant to the local transportation improvement district .  Henry County is applying through the Ohio Turnpike Commission for funds to help pay a big chunk of the estimated 18-million dollar price tag for a second Maumee River bridge. 

A total of ten projects have been submitted in the community development block grant program for Henry County in 2013.  The funding for Henry County has been cut by about 30% from last year by the state; which means there is about $75,000 available.   $15,000 of that figure goes to administrative costs at Maumee Valley Planning Agency; leaving another $60,000 to be split among the approved projects in Henry County.  

            The Henry County Commissioners will be selecting three of those ten projects for funding recommendation to the state.   The final selection will be announced sometime in June.

A special meeting of the Liberty Center school board of education Wednesday afternoon led to several moves in personnel action.   The Liberty Center board accepted the retirement-resignation of Kim Fruchey as technology director for the district after 14 years.         The board also accepted the resignation of Leslie Zartment as instructor for high school health and physical education after 5 years at Liberty Center.

            And the Liberty Center board terminated the employment of Keri Amstutz as employee in the cafeteria and as bus driver.   She had served the Liberty Center district for 15 years.