Montpelier native pens new book

In Calvin’s 15-minute presentation, aided by PowerPoint graphics, he related his experiences since he graduated from Montpelier High in 1997. After Ball State University, Calvin said he spent 15 years in corporate leadership positions, including a five-year stint on Wall Street that, by a twist of fate, began on Sept. 10, 2001 — one day prior to the 9/11 tragedy.

But, he said, “After 15 years, I realized I never loved what I did (for work).” He spent two years traveling around the world to all seven continents and 44 countries before deciding to write a book.

He said he moved back to the area just prior to his mother, Melanie Sutter, a popular Montpelier teacher, passing away. And because Montpelier is his hometown, he said it was appropriate to announce his book, which he titled ‘I Almost Became Me,’ which he said he wrote in the hopes of using his experiences, including his emotional childhood trauma and being bullied in school, “to inspire hope in others.”

Calvin’s book launch is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Montpelier fire station.

Roth said he was requesting that the village take over the so-called Ruble sewer system, which was created in 1996 and serves just five homes currently — with one more to be added soon — on County Road K between county roads 12 and 13.

Roth said the system “doesn’t work very well” for the county’s budget, as the county bills each home around $45 but the actual costs to the county are about $62. The county eats the difference, plus pays a small monthly North Western Electric Cooperative service charge.

“We have to save money wherever we can save money, and this is one (area),” Roth said, noting that his discussion was partly motivated by ongoing budget concerns from county commissioners.

Roth suggested the village could absorb the system and pass the actual costs on to homeowners, if, or when, the initial sewer agreement could be nullified.

Village Administrator Jason Rockey noted he has inspected the system and said two potential considerations are costs to replace sewer lift station pumps and an additional $30-$40 monthly electric bill. He said North Western Electric probably would not let the village absorb the houses into the village’s electric service.

Council is taking the matter under advisement.

Council also heard from Boston, who said the village is on track to meet its Energy Smart guaranteed contractual energy savings goal.

Council in August 2017 approved a three-year contract with American Municipal Power’s Energy Smart program at a cost of $1.40 per megawatt hour. The program guarantees to save energy for both business and residential customers through consultations with business leaders and by offering energy audits and products such as LED light bulbs.

The overall purpose of the program is to stop or greatly reduce the amount of electricity the village must buy during peak usage times, which can run over three times the regular cost. The baseline cost of electricity is approximately $44 per megawatt hour, but can rise to $140 during peak hours.

Energy rates are expected to rise in the coming year and village officials said at the time they hoped the efficiency program will offset the increase.

“The village has achieved 28 percent of its goal (so far),” Houston noted, adding that the village was in great shape to reach its final goal in the next 18 months.

In other action, Rockey noted the village recently received a safety award from the Black Swamp Safety Council, and lauded village employees for their safety and professionalism.

Council also recessed into a closed, executive session to consider appointing Brian Fritsch as assistant fire chief. Fire Chief Dail Fritsch has already signaled his intention to retire effective Jan. 3, 2020, and current assistant chief Steve Moore said due to work issues, he did not want to assume the position of chief when Fritsch retired, so he will be stepping down from his position but remaining on the department.

No action was announced after the executive session.