Editor’s Note
A previous version of this story had the incorrect date for when the village acquired the Civista Bank building. It was December 2023.
The story was also updated at 7:13 p.m. March 12 to reflect Shiloh Mayor Paul Currier does not support moving village operations to the bank building
SHILOH — Village of Shiloh council members might soon be knocking on your door asking what they should do with the former Civista Bank building at 23 W. Main St.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, councilmember and former Shiloh mayor Marilyn Hall suggested a door-to-door survey of the village’s 600-plus residents.
Building committee chair Christopher Rand agreed.
“My recommendation is we get all of the associated cost to get that building ready and we put that out there because that money’s got to come from somewhere,” he said.
“I like the survey idea, I think that’s the most fair, non-biased way to do it.”
However, Hall and Shiloh Mayor Paul Currier disagreed on how much rehabilitating the Civista Bank building would cost.
The village acquired the former bank located 23 W. Main St. for $1 as a donation from the bank in December 2023.
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Quotes from Vector Security state a digital security alarm system would cost $500 plus tax with a $45 warranty and wireless communication option.
A high-definition video surveillance system with four HD outside bullet cameras, four outside dome cameras and four inside dome cameras would cost $6,000 plus tax.
“This building doesn’t have security cameras, it would cost $500 to have the same system this building has,” Hall said.
Council discusses internet costs for moving to bank building
The village is considering the options of moving village hall operations to the former bank building, setting up the utility office there, or renting or selling the property.
Mayor Currier said he doesn’t think there’s enough room in the bank building to have room for the fiscal officer, utility clerk and council meetings.
“There’s not enough room, even with moving the front desk,” he said. “It will just be too costly to move.”
Council members also discussed Spectrum internet installation fees in a new building. Currier said Spectrum previously charged the village a one-time installation fee of $1,410 for three buildings including the water plant, sewer plant and municipal building.
Hall said she would call Spectrum to ask about installation and fees to move equipment.
“We already have all the equipment,” she said. “I think the bank is a much better building.”
Hall said she also liked the idea of using the former bank’s drive-thru for utility payments. Shiloh residents can pay electric, water and sewer bills at the village hall currently.
“This is a retirement community,” she said. “We have a lot of residents who are disabled and can’t walk up to the door or find a parking spot.
“They don’t want to drive to Plymouth to pay their utility bill. If we were to use that drive-thru again, each window has a safe to keep those bills secure, the call button still works if we’d like to use that.”
Hall said she wants quotes and receipts from the mayor or fiscal officer on rehabilitation costs associated with the Civista Bank building.
“We were told it would cost too much, and I just want documentation proving that,” she said. “Show me the numbers.”
Currier said conversations are “to be continued.”
“The building committee has options of renting or selling it, and there’s a few people who want to move all of our operations there,” he said. “We’re at a stalemate on how to go about it.”
Hall lamented after the nearly two-hour council session that she had an item on the agenda that wasn’t brought to the floor “regarding the health of the village.”
“The administrator and the mayor don’t like me,” she said. “I’m a threat to them.
“I have 28 years of knowledge, and I don’t gloat about that. I’m still learning things, but you don’t disrespect your council,” Hall said.
Sewage backup Sunday affects three houses
Hall also brought up a sewage backup concern from March 9 that the mayor said affected about three households.
The councilwoman said the mayor and village administrator didn’t respond to her calls or texts after a village resident asked her for help.
Village administrator Bryan VerBurg said Plymouth crews helped unblock sewer pipes that had backed up Sunday evening.
“Someone had put about half a roll of toilet paper down the drain,” VerBurg said.
“Plymouth came down and helped us jet it out. Those residents who were affected will take care of that through their insurance and we will pay the premium.”
In addition to discussing Civista Bank plans and Sunday’s sewage backup issue, council members approved a contract extension with Rinehart, Walters and Danner Insurance for an additional year.
Additionally, council members voted to table a motion to sell the village’s Boy Scout hut and land until land surveying is completed to determine how much the land is worth so the village can put a reserve on it for auction.
VerBurg also told council members that about 10 more households need to make appointments to get new water meters installed. He said he will send verified letters reminding residents their water could be shut off if they fail to do so.
