By Matt Clevenger
For the Miami Valley Today
WEST MILTON — The West Milton Village Council is currently seeking a new member to fill the vacant seat left open after the recent departure of councilman Tim Dues.
“We now have an open council seat,” Mayor Anthony Miller said. “We will be posting that position fairly soon.”
Council announced the vacant seat during their annual re-organizational meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
“After it has been posted, the charter says that we are required to wait 10 days before we are allowed to fill it,” Miller said. “I would encourage anybody that’s out there; if you’re interested, send in a letter of interest to the village office here, and we’ll consider those coming up probably at our next workshop.”
In other business, council members also discussed three current openings on the village’s Tax Incentive Review Council. The village has candidates for two of the openings, but is still searching for one additional member.
“We have two; we need three,” Municipal Manager Jeff Sheridan said. “We don’t have any project pending, although I hope that we will soon. I would ask that you continue to consider a third candidate.”
“This council would be our advisory board for the village on projects in conjunction with the county,” he said of the Tax Incentive Review Council. “That is the body that makes recommendations to the county, because the county has final authority with tax abatements.”
Council members also held swearing-in ceremonies for Mayor Anthony Miller and councilmember Casey Metz who were both recently re-elected. Both Miller and Metz’s new terms will expire in January of 2026. Council members also held a swearing-in ceremony for the village’s new clerk of council, Laura Wright.
Council members also voted to approve the selection of Sarah Copp as council chairperson and approved a new contract with village law director Lenee Brosh.
“I’ve reviewed the agreement,” Sheridan said. “I recommend the council continue with her services.”
“I appreciate all the hard work that Lenee has been putting in for the city, and she’s always available for calls and questions,” Miller said. “I don’t think she’s ever steered us wrong.”
Village council also announced the hiring of new receptionist Megan Hall at the municipal building.
“I am pleased to announce that the village has hired a new receptionist/administrative assistant,” Sheridan said. “She started on Monday; she’s already doing a fine job.”
“For the moment, the village is fully staffed,” Sheridan said.
Council members also announced an upcoming visit by Congressman Warren Davidson on Thursday, Jan. 6.
“Congressman Davidson and his staff will be at the village hall on Thursday morning at approximately 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m., and will be available to answer questions,” Sheridan said. “His staff will be visiting the village on a regular basis on the first Thursday of the month.”
Village council also voted to approve a resolution officially thanking Patterson’s Flowers owners Robert and Charlotte Menker for their service to the village.
“Patterson’s Flowers has served the citizens of West Milton for 95 years,” Miller said.
Originally constructed by Robert Ewing Jennings in 1926, the flower shop and greenhouse started out specializing in rock gardens and landscaping for ponds. In 1947, Jennings sold the business to Harold Patterson, who eventually sold it to Robert Menker in 1975.
“Mr. Menker has been part of Patterson’s Flowers since 1962, taking his first and only job with the flower shop when he was still in junior high school, and having worked there for 58 years.”
“They always do a wonderful job,” Miller said. “I really wanted to make sure that we acknowledge all of the hard work they do and what they contributed to the village.”
Village council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held in the municipal building at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
