Hiram council discusses feral-cat feeding ban, approves water and sewer amendments and hears speed-enforcement pitch

Hiram Village Council on Oct. 21 heard public concerns about a proposed ordinance that would ban feeding feral cats and then moved to amend utility-rate proposals while scheduling program details for later review.

During the public-comment period resident Sasha Gough told the council she worries the proposed nuisance-animal ordinance (Ordinance 2025-26) could disrupt an ongoing trap-neuter-return (TNR) program and that adjacent property owners might refuse to consent to established colonies. Resident Jim Reger asked for clarification on how the ordinance would affect the health and safety of unhoused feral cats; the minutes record the question but do not record a technical response. The mayor and the solicitor returned the ordinance to first read after edits were determined to change the legislation’s character.

On utility matters, Village Administrator Steve Schuller outlined aging infrastructure, added annual internet costs for smart meters and an obsolete billing system that together prompted council to consider user-rate increases. Schuller presented a range of possible water-rate increases (2%–6%) for council review and was asked to prepare five-year water and sewer appropriation projections for the Nov. 18 meeting. Councilor Juan Fernandez moved to amend the proposed water-rate change to 4% (seconded by Suzann Bennett); the amendment passed 5-0. Councilor Ed Frato-Sweeney moved to amend the proposed sewer-rate change to 6% (seconded by Chris Perme); that amendment also passed 5-0.

Council also introduced Ordinance 2025-34, a Speed and Traffic Enforcement Program. Council directed Trevor Elkins to discuss the program with council; Elkins spoke in support of the program from a personal perspective and emphasized the need to manage vehicle speeds in the village.

What to watch next: Administrator Schuller will present five-year water and sewer appropriation projections at the Nov. 18 meeting; council may take final votes on amended utility rates and the nuisance-animal ordinance in subsequent readings.