During Monday night’s meeting of the Wayne City Village Board, trustees voted to allow residents to pay late utility bills without late fees up until the shut-off date of March 21st. The decision comes after unusually high gas bills, nearly three times normal, due to extreme cold and increased gas prices. The board recognized the financial strain on residents and agreed to reassess the situation in April after reviewing delinquent accounts. The motion passed with one dissenting vote from Trustee Stephen Buxton.
Trustees also approved bids to demolish two troubled properties: the Shell Mart gas station on Robinson Street ($21,500) and the “Neff house” near Wayne City Park ($4,250), both awarded to Robby Anderson. The home demolition was unanimously approved, while the station bid passed with two no votes.
Discussion about the village’s ordinance prohibiting chickens within city limits continued. While the ordinance clearly bans chickens, turkeys, and geese, some residents are currently keeping chickens responsibly. Trustees debated whether the ordinance needs to be updated or enforced. For now, the issue remains unresolved, with no changes made to the existing rules.
Additionally, trustees voted to retain the new one percent state grocery tax, despite objections from Trustees Buxton and Cline. That the tax generates approximately $1.2 million annually for the county. This revenue equates to about $115 per household each year. Treasurer Roger Noe emphasized the village’s need for the revenue.