Regular Meeting Village of Hubbardston August 11, 2026
Meeting called to order by Council President, Paula Peiffer, at 6:30 p.m.
Board members present
President Paula Peiffer, Clerk Laurie Fuller, Treasurer Star Hobart, Trustees Sheryl Mitchell, Lance Ewalt, Phil Schneider, Daniel Osterman
Also present
Fire Chief Stefanie Lewis
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to approve the agenda as presented.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to approve the meeting minutes for the July 14, 2026 Regular Meeting.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Special Speaker/Public Input
Motion by Trustee Osterman supported by Trustee Schneider to obtain clarification on the Village’s responsibility regarding roadside ditch maintenance.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, President Peiffer – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to block off Pleasant Street to Main Street on September 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., for a car show.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Hobart gave the treasurer report of current deposits and receipts.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to purchase a one-year CD for $150,000 at 3.85% and a six-month CD for $200,000 at 3.7% from Independent Bank.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to accept the Treasurer’s deposit and receipts report as presented.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Clerk’s Report
Clerk Fuller gave the report for payables and payroll approval, and the revenue and expenditure reports.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Ewalt to move the September meeting to September 15th and the December meeting to December 15th.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to accept the Clerk’s payables and payroll report as amended and pay approved invoices.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – NO, Trustee Osterman – NO. Motion carried 3/2.
President’s Report
At 7:42 p.m., the council took a brief recess and reconvened at 7:55 p.m.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to pursue and obtain three bids to add 1200 square feet to DPW building.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to rent a porta john for the DPW building.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by Trustee Mitchell supported by President Peiffer to accept the President’s report as presented.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Fire Chief Report
No report
DPW Report
President Peiffer announced receipt of an employment application for a DPW position and stated that the applicant will be hired effective immediately.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to extend the meeting past 8:00 p.m.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to purchase two tires for the Kubota utility tractor, not to exceed $250.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to purchase 20 yards of fill sand.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes, Trustee Osterman – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Old Business
President Peiffer presented the recommendations from the newly appointed village attorney. He outlined several Village priorities including website access and domain control to ensure compliance, governance standardization, codification of procedures, and ordinance review. Trustee Osterman disagreed with the recommendation that the Village office manage and post to the website, stated that he would no longer be involved with the website, and expressed that website administration should be handled by a hired professional.
President Peiffer and Trustee Schneider will be attending a meeting on August 17, 2026, with Danell from Fleis & Vandenbrink.
President Peiffer reported that the North Plains Township fire millage passed.
New Business
None
Meeting adjourned by President Peiffer 8:27 p.m.
MINUTES NOT APPROVED UNTIL:
Next Regular Meeting September 15, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Laurie Fuller, Village of Hubbardston Clerk