Minster Council Advances School Land Exchange, Awards Nearly $900,000 Waterline Contract

Minster Village Council handled several infrastructure, property and financial matters during its latest meeting, including a proposed land exchange with the Minster Local School District and a major waterline replacement project.

Council gave a second reading to a resolution involving a proposed land exchange with the school district.

The proposal dates back to December 2024, when the school board approached the village about exchanging property to allow the district to consider a possible expansion near the middle school.

Under the proposal, the school district would transfer approximately 11.446 acres of land adjacent to Four Seasons Park to the village. In exchange, the village would transfer approximately 7.3 acres adjacent to the middle school to the district.

Council also awarded a contract to Finfrock Construction of Covington for the North Garfield Street waterline replacement project.

The company submitted a bid of $899,000 for work that will replace a waterline and curb and gutter along North Garfield Street between Seventh and Fifth streets.

Council also approved a $15,400 engineering agreement with Choice One Engineering for the Midway water loop project. The project is designed to connect a waterline from the Rosebud subdivision area to Midway Drive and improve water pressure on the north side of the village.

Another infrastructure related item involved the village wastewater system. Council approved an agreement with CDM Smith for a wastewater surcharge rate reassessment at a cost of $52,824.

Village officials said the current surcharge rates were last updated in 2020. The review will examine rising costs for chemicals, labor and general wastewater treatment plant operations.

Council also approved an ordinance annexing approximately 1.32 acres of residential property along West State Route 119 into the village. The annexation had previously been approved by the Auglaize County Commissioners.

Another ordinance dealt with assessments for miscellaneous sidewalk improvements completed throughout the village. Property owners will be responsible for a portion of the replacement costs, with total assessments of approximately $154,879.

Residents will have 45 days to pay their share before any unpaid balance is placed on the property tax duplicate and assessed over a 10 year period.

Council also approved a resolution related to changes being proposed by the Auglaize County Solid Waste District and accepted the county budget commission’s distribution of local government funds.

Minster is estimated to receive approximately $101,098 in local government funding.