11/09/2025
Antwerp Council Declares Village a Purple Heart Community, Advances Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Legislation
ANTWERP, OHIO — The Antwerp Village Council met on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, under the direction of Mayor Jan Reeb. Council members present included Jason Franks, Bill Boylan, Dean Rister, Bryan Smith, Bryce Steiner, and John De Vore III. Police Chief George Clemens, Administrator Brian Davis, Fiscal Officer Kevin Hornish, and Solicitor Brandon Grigsby were also in attendance.
Following approval of the August meeting minutes and financial reports, council recognized Greg Geyer of the Paulding County Veterans Service Office, who presented a proclamation designating Antwerp as a Purple Heart Village. Signs recognizing the designation will be installed at village entrances on SR 49 and old US 24. Mayor Reeb read the proclamation aloud, and council unanimously passed the resolution.
Council also heard from Gabe Oberlin, a landholder in the village, regarding his plans to build a home on Oswalt Street. Due to an unusual lot configuration, Oberlin requested that two parcels be combined to allow construction. Council passed Ordinance 2025-15 under emergency to authorize the combination of Parcel Nos. 12-30S-016-00 and 12-30S-015-00.
Multiple other emergency measures were also passed. Resolution 2025-16, which accepts a $54,500 donation from the Antwerp Community Improvement Corporation to assist with a recent property purchase, received its third and final reading and passed unanimously.
Council also passed Resolution 2025-17 under emergency to accept the amounts and rates from the Paulding County Budget Commission. Fiscal Officer Kevin Hornish explained that this annual measure certifies tax levies already approved by voters and must be filed by October 1.
Ordinance 2025-13 was passed as an emergency to comply with new statewide cybersecurity mandates. The ordinance prohibits ransomware payments, establishes incident reporting requirements, and sets deadlines for cybersecurity policy adoption. The village’s IT provider, Small Business Technologies, is working to implement technical requirements and provide staff training through the Ohio Plan insurance carrier.
Ordinance 2025-14 was passed as an emergency to finalize the annexation of property from Carryall Township into the village. The state requires formal adoption of an ordinance after the 60-day waiting period following county approval.
During new business, Davis informed council that Antwerp Rotary has agreed to serve as the financial conduit for donations to the Veterans Memorial Banner Project. He also addressed road maintenance issues, noting that street grindings intended for Shaffer Road were unexpectedly hauled away by a contractor. He will seek updated pricing for chip-and-seal treatment instead.
Davis reported that funding for engineering has been released through the Safe Routes to School program, allowing design work to begin on sidewalk improvements along Harrmann Road.
A significant discussion centered on upcoming EPA mandates concerning ammonia and nitrogen discharge limits at the wastewater treatment facility. Davis explained that even a new mechanical plant would not meet the standards. The only feasible option is to install a 10-inch forced main from the treatment facility to the Maumee River, at an estimated cost of $2 million. Engineering alone is projected at $339,000. An ordinance to authorize engineering will be introduced next month, with final passage expected in December.
Mayor Reeb announced that Trick-or-Treat will take place Saturday, October 25. The fire department will host a costume parade at 2:30 p.m., followed by judging at 3:00 p.m. at the fire station, and Trick-or-Treat will run from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The mayor’s court report will be presented at the next meeting.
Council adjourned following a motion by Steiner and second by Boylan.
