WESTON – Council expects the town’s Halloween parade to be a treat on Oct.31, but picking the safest
route might be tricky.
During Monday’s brief meeting, Councilman Shad Kendall reported the Weston Recreation Board is sponsoring
the annual Halloween parade at 4 p.m., followed by trick-or-treat from 5 to 7 p.m. He said sign-up for
the parade would be at the fire station at 3:30 p.m.
Council members questioned the route the parade would take, particularly if it would be from the fire
station to the town hall for judging. Councilman Mark Sheffer suggested children march instead from the
maintenance building (the old fire station) up to the town hall because using Sand Ridge Road for part
of the route would require permission from the county.
But Mayor Howard Lashuay said he was not in favor of children crossing the railroad tracks for either
route, and expressed concern if the children are at the fire station and there’s an EMS run.
"It’s just a bad spot. I don’t think the church (Weston Church of Christ) will mind using their lot
again," he stated. "The church-to-town-hall route keeps kids off busy streets and the
tracks."
Fiscal Officer Sarah Schroeder agreed to check with the head of the rec board about the issue.
Administrator Chris Douglas announced leaf pick-up will be held Nov. 2-19. "We will go over town,
back and forth till it’s finished up," he said.
Resident Keith Leady said he was at the meeting to "make his presence known." He is a candidate
for council next month.
Brad Anderson and Mark Tolles also introduced themselves to council. Both are running for seats on the
Otsego School Board, support keeping three elementary schools and asked for council’s support.
Anderson said he is a lifelong resident and graduated from Otsego High School in 1990.
"It’s time to bring the board back to the taxpayers," he said. "They’ve been doing what
they want to do and lost the support of voters."
Tolles said he heard the promise of keeping the schools in the communities, "and that didn’t happen.
The school board has to realize school is part of the community. … When they make decisions it affects
everybody. I also think they need to be looking at funding for the schools."
He expressed concern "the superintendent tells the board members what to think," and suggested
his background in law "will help keep them tuned in to what the laws are."
Village Prosecutor Esteban Callejas explained the work he does on behalf of the town in prosecuting
various cases. When it benefits the village he prosecutes under its ordinances so Weston gets the fine
money. When jail time is involved, he prosecutes using the Ohio Revised Code so costs are shifted to the
state.
Council authorized an offer to Central Oil & Asphalt Co. of $7,500 for its land behind the
library, pending its clearing from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Members also held an executive session to discuss personnel, after which the issue was turned over to the
solicitor.