ST. PARIS – Village council accepted the resignation of a village employee during Monday’s regular meeting.

Council accepted the resignation of office assistant Suzanne Oberly, effective May 12.

“I’m resigning my position with the village of St. Paris effective at noon on May 12, 2017,” Reneer said, reciting Oberly’s resignation letter. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work at the village and feel honored to have met so many wonderful people among your residents.”

Council unanimously accepted the resignation.

Reneer said he and Village Administrator Joe Sampson had spoken and sought council’s permission to post the job opening when Sampson and fiscal officer Dee Meadows are ready. Council approved this request.

Senior luncheon

Council agreed to a contract allowing senior lunches at the park.

During the May 1 meeting, resident Brenda Cook informed council that lunch for senior citizens was held in April resulting in a positive meal and meeting. She stated the lunch is free for any individuals ages 60 and older as well as anyone with someone age 60 or older.

Due to the success of the April luncheon, Cook said there was interest to hold senior lunches on Wednesdays and Fridays. She said the First Methodist Church agreed to host senior lunches on Wednesdays while the interested parties want to hold Friday lunches at Harmon Park and were seeking to have any rental fees to use the park waived or negotiated through a contract.

Lifecare Alliance provides the meals and needed the contract.

During Monday’s meeting, Village Administrator Joe Sampson followed up on the topic noting council did not act on waiving the fees for the park to be rented out on Fridays for the lunch.

“We have a contract here put together with the Lifecare Alliance and the village to be able to use that facility but I have not signed it, I wanted to make sure that was okay with council,” Sampson said.

Sampson noted the length of the proposed contract is from May 1 to Dec. 31 and includes a provision allowing both parties to leave the contract with 30-day notice.

After discussing the subject, council unanimously approved use of the park for lunches on Fridays at $1 per use.

Water rate increase

Council held the second of three readings of an amendment ordinance for a water rate increase.

During the May 1 meeting, Reneer said the village in the past has not “been invited to the dance” by businesses who were looking for villages of the same size due to the village’s water quality.

“To improve said water quality we need a water treatment plant that provides soft and treated water to homes and businesses,” Reneer said. “The iron – which is our number one complaint – would be removed.”

Regarding funding and financing, Reneer said the state will only help those who help themselves and the village’s water rates were not high enough to meet any of the financial obligations associated with loans or grants.

“By the time we get it up high enough, we can get it on a pretty cheap interest loan that will move pretty quick,” Reneer said.

The proposed rate increase would double water rates but sewer rates would remain the same.

In other action:

•Reneer said the village’s Memorial Day ceremony will be held May 27 at 9 a.m. starting at Harmon Park before moving down to the cemetery.

•The Kelly Miller Circus will perform two shows Monday at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at the Well Field, 339 S. High St. Tickets are available for sale at downtown area businesses or online at kellymillercircus.com.

•Reneer noted the St. Paris Public Library is accepting signups for their summer reading program.

•The American Legion St. Paris Post 148 will hold their next meeting on June 14 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building, 135 W. Main St.