FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown Community Development Foundation (FCDF) opened its monthly meeting with resignations from President Paul Mayville and Vice President Amy Boyd.
Mayville and Boyd decided it was best to step down from their roles due to time constraints from other involvements.
“The reason why we’re doing this is mainly because of me,” Mayville said. “I have a lot of difficulty having time with this position [his new job outside FCDF].”
Fellow FCDF members, Kristine Lindeman and Katie Pfleiderer, came to Mayville and said they would assume the roles of president and vice president.
The foundation passed a motion to nominate and accept Lindeman as president and Pfleiderer as vice president for the remainder of each position’s term, which ends Dec. 31, 2025.
Mayville thanked the foundation for his time as president, said he will continue to be a member and called for continued investment from other members.
“[If] we all invest just a little bit in this organization; over time, we can grow this and have millions,” Mayville said. “Not millions of dollars, but millions of ideas, millions of accomplishments, millions of different things that we’re doing in this organization.”
Lindeman thanked Mayville and Boyd for being humble leaders and knowing when to step back in the best interest of the organization.
Other updates from the agenda
Below is a brief list of some key things discussed and motions that were passed during the FCDF’s meeting:
Executive committee report
A motion passed to form a committee for the 43019 magazine, and eventually a chairman from that committee to serve as a board member.
A motion passed to allow the new committee to spend up to $900 with graphic designer Sandy Boone for the 43019 magazine.
The FCDF summarized a previous meeting with Jennifer Williams of Williams Nonprofit Consulting. The next step is for FCDF and Williams to meet with local stakeholders to create a wish list for future improvements and projects, which Williams will then attempt to find funding opportunities for.
Design committee report
A few surveys were conducted as part of a grant requirement to gauge the community’s thoughts on what was needed for new wayfinding signs. Colleen Gregg is working on the next steps of the grant, designing the signs and seeing where the project falls in the FCDF’s funding.
This summer was a slow year for turnout at the farmers’ market, and some vendors said they won’t be returning next year. Gregg is finding new ways to bring back young families and have a sufficient number of vendors available.
New planters will be delivered on Oct. 10, Lindeman said. Fredericktown Garden Club is donating $2,500 towards the project, Ohio Health is donating $2,000 for three years ($6,000 total) and Lindeman says the village is revisiting its planter budget.
Economic development committee report
Julia Suggs’ ASPECT program, which helps prepare high school students for careers in manufacturing or other avenues other than college, was mentioned to the board.
A new effort the committee is trying to navigate is changing teachers’ perceptions of manufacturing. Fredericktown is leading the way by having teachers tour manufacturing facilities in order to better inform students interested in the field.
October is Ohio Manufacturing Month, and local manufacturers will be tabling at the Fredericktown football game on Oct. 17. The idea is to get parents more informed on potential manufacturing opportunities for their kids after school.
Village report
Village Council President Rick Lanuzza expects crews to finish the sewer maintenance project in January.
The Sandusky Street sidewalk project has started from Bollinger to Carol Drive. Planning has also started for the South Main Street sidewalk project.
“We have had one meeting with ODOT for the South Main Street sidewalks from the square to Sixth Street,” Lanuzza said. “So, they’re in the process of getting bids for the engineering of all that.”
K.E. McCartney & Associates received the water main project’s bids last week and is now reviewing them. Hopefully, the water main project for Mulberry and College Street will start in the next two months, Lanuzza said.
Lanuzza also shared news about a grant for the Columbus Road sidewalk project.
“We did receive a $100,000 grant from Central Ohio Regional Planning Organization for the engineering of the Columbus road sidewalk project,” Lanuzza said.
“So, that was supposed to be Phase Two of the South Main Street, but we will go from Main Street down to Mohican with new sidewalks and hopefully lights.”
“Hopefully, by doing that, they said, we stand a good chance of being able to apply for more funding to actually get the sidewalks and get a lot of the work done.”
Member reports – Fredericktown schools
Superintendent Gary Chapman shared a few save-the-dates for some important events coming up:
- State report cards go public – Monday, Sept. 15.
- County-wide reunification drill at Energy Field House – Wednesday, Sept. 17.
- Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor committee’s ceremony – Friday, April 17.
- Fredericktown High School teachers tour manufacturing facilities – Friday, Sept. 26.
- Knox EMA’s Amy Seward gives a reunification refresher to middle and elementary school – Friday, Sept. 26.
Member reports – Fredericktown Police Department
Chief Tracey Myers gave a brief report about continuing yearly training now that the major summer events have ended.
Myers mentioned driving training with the Mount Vernon Police Department; read more about that here.
Member reports – EMS
“Hopefully, our truck that was ordered three years ago may be here in November,” Lanuzza said.
“We’re not sure if it’s a ’25 or ’26 or even the ’27 who knows? No one knows, maybe it’s a ’24.
We’re anxiously awaiting the delivery of a truck that we ordered three years ago.”