By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Village Council unanimously approved a recommendation by the Administrative Committee to hire Lucas Piper to fill a full time Department of Public Works position at the Council’s regular meeting July 15.
Over a month ago, full time DPW employee Forrest Cope submitted a letter of resignation to pursue an opportunity with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. His last day was July 24.
Piper, a 2025 Climax-Scotts High School graduate, will turn 18 in October.
The Administration Committee received eight applications and narrowed the number of candidates to be interviewed down to four.
Finance/Insurance/Administration Chairperson Denise Pyle said besides having an understanding of all of the requirements associated with the position, proximity of the candidate’s residence and being able to get to the Village in the event of an emergency, “was extremely important.”
She said all four candidates interviewed live within a 30-mile radius of the village.
However, in the end, Piper’s work experience in the cemetery with foundation work and burials, mowing, and weed whipping working with his father Trent Piper, the owner of The Groundskeeper, for approximately five years, was a key factor why he was recommended for the position.
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson said Piper also works well with others and by himself. Gibson adds Piper also expressed an interest in working in Climax long term.
“T.J. felt very strongly about, given all of the candidates, it was really tight. But we felt he (Piper) will be the best for the village,” said Pyle.
“It was tough. The qualifications were a huge concern and the ability and willingness to learn and become certified in the water system,” adds the Finance/Insurance/Administration chairperson.
Piper was scheduled to begin Monday, July 21.
Piper said since he performs many of the same jobs working for his father he will be doing working for the Village, he felt qualified for the position.
Pyle said Piper will begin at an hourly rate of $20. He will have 18 months to complete water certification requirements. Village Clerk Linda Coburn said Piper will receive a $1.50 hourly increase after passing the first water certification test and an additional $1.50 hourly raise after passing the second water certification test. Council President Bill Lewis adds the Council could consider cost of living hourly wage adjustments in the future also.
Pyle adds Piper vocally accepted conditions of employment before he was offered the position, which state he will maintain employment with the Village of Climax for at least 18 months from the date he passes the water certification test.
“In addition to that, there is an expectation that he does become certified for the water within a two year time frame,” adds Pyle.
Pyle suggested the attorney draft a condition of employment agreement letter for future use.
Letters to the other candidates thanking them for their interest will be sent.
DPW Update
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson informed the Council after performing research on some of the DPW equipment, the 1988 John Deere backhoe needs repairs. While Gibson is looking to have the current backhoe repaired, he noted the cost to replace the 1988 backhoe with a newer model would be well over $70,000.
Gibson adds the two trucks used for snow plowing are older as well, and also need repairs.
He said the 2003 Ford 350 was not built to spec. The Village requested an issue be fixed however Gibson said the issue was never corrected.
The DPW manager is researching the cost of two newer plow trucks for the next budget year.
Gibson told the Council he would like to add shrubs or plants near the Village Hall in the old Harvester lot.
Water hydrant and valve maintenance will take place the week of August 25.
Communication
Council President Bill Lewis said the Village received a noise complaint from a citizen near Lovell and Hancock about youth making noise at 2-3 a.m. July 12.
The resident called the police.
Lewis reminded the Council the Village does have a noise ordinance (Code 1471) in effect in most cases from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Cemetery and Parks Chairman Ben Moore said he is trying to set up a meeting with an arborist company in Cooperville to review trees in the village to determine which ones could be saved, which trees need trimming and which trees are a liability and need to be cut. He will get a cost and then the council will determine if that service is something the Council would like to pursue.
The Council unanimously approved a policy identifying which council members can contact the Village attorney. Those members are President William Lewis, president pro-tem Nick Ludwig and clerk Linda Coburn.
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning Chairman Nick Ludwig informed the Council the current contract between the Village of Climax and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department expired June 1, 2025.
The Village used ARPA funds to pay for a maximum of 40 hours a week for directed patrol in the village in the previous budget.
An extension for a new contract was forwarded to the Council for services through June 1, 2026. Ludwig said the Council could consider the extension for a maximum of 40 hours per week for patrols in the village or an amended version. The Council could revert back to having the Sheriff Department respond to just calls for service or provide random patrols when requested.
While the Council did not approve funding for a new contract with the County Sheriff Department in the 2025-2026 budget, Clerk Linda Coburn said there is funding allocated for patrols that could be available through the end of the current budget March 31. However the funding may not be available for the maximum of 40 hours a week.
Ludwig will continue discussions with the County Sheriff Department about patrols that will align with the Council’s budget.
In other items covered at the July 15 meeting:
• President Bill Lewis provided four sample ordinances and codes from other communities that addresses risk management for parades and events.
• The Ordinance/Zoning/ Planning and Development Committee will be working on policy or ordinances for in ground and above ground pools.
• After adopting an ordinance that establishes a Zoning Officer and Code Enforcement Officer in June, the Council approved Safebuilt employees Vaughn Reed as the Village’s Code Enforcement Officer and Alton Neal as the Village’s Zoning Administrator with Joline Chaney and Ben Moore offering nay votes.
• The contract with Safebuilt, the company the Council uses for building permits and zoning inspection services, expires in October. The Council did express interest in obtaining information and estimates from other building code, permit and zoning inspection companies.
The Climax Village Council unanimously approved a recommendation by the Administrative Committee to hire Lucas Piper to fill a full time Department of Public Works position at the Council’s regular meeting July 15.
Over a month ago, full time DPW employee Forrest Cope submitted a letter of resignation to pursue an opportunity with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department. His last day was July 24.
Piper, a 2025 Climax-Scotts High School graduate, will turn 18 in October.
The Administration Committee received eight applications and narrowed the number of candidates to be interviewed down to four.
Finance/Insurance/Administration Chairperson Denise Pyle said besides having an understanding of all of the requirements associated with the position, proximity of the candidate’s residence and being able to get to the Village in the event of an emergency, “was extremely important.”
She said all four candidates interviewed live within a 30-mile radius of the village.
However, in the end, Piper’s work experience in the cemetery with foundation work and burials, mowing, and weed whipping working with his father Trent Piper, the owner of The Groundskeeper, for approximately five years, was a key factor why he was recommended for the position.
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson said Piper also works well with others and by himself. Gibson adds Piper also expressed an interest in working in Climax long term.
“T.J. felt very strongly about, given all of the candidates, it was really tight. But we felt he (Piper) will be the best for the village,” said Pyle.
“It was tough. The qualifications were a huge concern and the ability and willingness to learn and become certified in the water system,” adds the Finance/Insurance/Administration chairperson.
Piper was scheduled to begin Monday, July 21.
Piper said since he performs many of the same jobs working for his father he will be doing working for the Village, he felt qualified for the position.
Pyle said Piper will begin at an hourly rate of $20. He will have 18 months to complete water certification requirements. Village Clerk Linda Coburn said Piper will receive a $1.50 hourly increase after passing the first water certification test and an additional $1.50 hourly raise after passing the second water certification test. Council President Bill Lewis adds the Council could consider cost of living hourly wage adjustments in the future also.
Pyle adds Piper vocally accepted conditions of employment before he was offered the position, which state he will maintain employment with the Village of Climax for at least 18 months from the date he passes the water certification test.
“In addition to that, there is an expectation that he does become certified for the water within a two year time frame,” adds Pyle.
Pyle suggested the attorney draft a condition of employment agreement letter for future use.
Letters to the other candidates thanking them for their interest will be sent.
DPW Update
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson informed the Council after performing research on some of the DPW equipment, the 1988 John Deere backhoe needs repairs. While Gibson is looking to have the current backhoe repaired, he noted the cost to replace the 1988 backhoe with a newer model would be well over $70,000.
Gibson adds the two trucks used for snow plowing are older as well, and also need repairs.
He said the 2003 Ford 350 was not built to spec. The Village requested an issue be fixed however Gibson said the issue was never corrected.
The DPW manager is researching the cost of two newer plow trucks for the next budget year.
Gibson told the Council he would like to add shrubs or plants near the Village Hall in the old Harvester lot.
Water hydrant and valve maintenance will take place the week of August 25.
Communication
Council President Bill Lewis said the Village received a noise complaint from a citizen near Lovell and Hancock about youth making noise at 2-3 a.m. July 12.
The resident called the police.
Lewis reminded the Council the Village does have a noise ordinance (Code 1471) in effect in most cases from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Cemetery and Parks Chairman Ben Moore said he is trying to set up a meeting with an arborist company in Cooperville to review trees in the village to determine which ones could be saved, which trees need trimming and which trees are a liability and need to be cut. He will get a cost and then the council will determine if that service is something the Council would like to pursue.
The Council unanimously approved a policy identifying which council members can contact the Village attorney. Those members are President William Lewis, president pro-tem Nick Ludwig and clerk Linda Coburn.
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning Chairman Nick Ludwig informed the Council the current contract between the Village of Climax and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department expired June 1, 2025.
The Village used ARPA funds to pay for a maximum of 40 hours a week for directed patrol in the village in the previous budget.
An extension for a new contract was forwarded to the Council for services through June 1, 2026. Ludwig said the Council could consider the extension for a maximum of 40 hours per week for patrols in the village or an amended version. The Council could revert back to having the Sheriff Department respond to just calls for service or provide random patrols when requested.
While the Council did not approve funding for a new contract with the County Sheriff Department in the 2025-2026 budget, Clerk Linda Coburn said there is funding allocated for patrols that could be available through the end of the current budget March 31. However the funding may not be available for the maximum of 40 hours a week.
Ludwig will continue discussions with the County Sheriff Department about patrols that will align with the Council’s budget.
In other items covered at the July 15 meeting:
• President Bill Lewis provided four sample ordinances and codes from other communities that addresses risk management for parades and events.
• The Ordinance/Zoning/ Planning and Development Committee will be working on policy or ordinances for in ground and above ground pools.
• After adopting an ordinance that establishes a Zoning Officer and Code Enforcement Officer in June, the Council approved Safebuilt employees Vaughn Reed as the Village’s Code Enforcement Officer and Alton Neal as the Village’s Zoning Administrator with Joline Chaney and Ben Moore offering nay votes.
• The contract with Safebuilt, the company the Council uses for building permits and zoning inspection services, expires in October. The Council did express interest in obtaining information and estimates from other building code, permit and zoning inspection companies.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
