County, fire and service updates reported at Sherwood Township meeting

County Commissioner Tim Stoll, who is also a Sherwood Township resident, told the board that Frank Walsh has been hired as Branch County’s new county administrator and that the county is in the process of hiring a finance director to support open-book operations. Stoll also said Veterans Affairs is replacing its director when the current director, Charles, retires at the end of February.

Stoll reported a broadband project in Branch County will be pursued by Frontier and that Frontier plans to start work in the village. The minutes do not provide a project timeline or funding details.

The township’s fire department reported four calls in January, including an ice-water rescue in Burlington, and advised the board a 1971 fire truck is slated for sale by sealed bid going forward.

Treasurer Brubaker reported a bank balance of $153,542.73, said the perpetual-care CD was renewed, and that other CDs totaling $65,000 were closed to be reinvested. She asked to renew the township's custodian of funds policy, which the minutes say was last updated in 1998.

Clerk Hannah Smith said all January bills had been paid, W-2s and other tax paperwork were completed and mailed, and the 2025–26 budget is being prepared after two work sessions and will be presented for approval at the March meeting. Smith also updated the board on garbage service, noting Best Choice Garbage—after purchasing Sammy’s—has been working weekends to return service to schedule.

In public comment, Jason Bingaman, undersheriff in Branch County, said the sheriff’s office plans to return to 24-hour coverage in mid-April and has placed orders for body and in-car cameras; Margie Whitcomb encouraged residents to use the Coldwater Aquatic Center and noted $5 water-aerobics classes are available.

The minutes do not include additional details such as contract terms for broadband, a sale schedule for the fire truck, or the expected fiscal impact of the CD reinvestments.