SOUTH RANGE — The South Range Village Council selected Mike Balma to fill the vacant trustee position at its monthly meeting on Thursday. The Council will now have a full membership for the first time since November 2024.

Balma was one of three potential candidates and was chosen by an unanimous vote of all present members. Balma is the Fire Chief of South Range and is seeking to provide further service to the village, public works and its residents through local government. “My goal is to keep the employees around for a long time and treat everyone with respect,” Balma said. Balma said he is looking forward to addressing the village’s street conditions and working on parks and recreation projects.

The meeting began with Village Clerk Kristen Archambeau reading her letter of resignation. Archambeau explained that she felt disrespected by the council and addressed other frustrations regarding the amount of work she had taken on as well as scheduling issues with work. “That being said, I enjoyed working with the residents, Public Works, fire department and all the individuals and municipalities who helped guide me in this position,” Archambeau said. “I want to take the time to thank them all for helping me along the way.” Her last day will be April 14.

Village employees present at the meeting all expressed their appreciation for Archambeau’s time working for the village, citing the multiple times she had made them feel appreciated and times she provided food to them when their jobs were difficult and stressful. Among those who complimented her was Balma.

“I want to thank Kristen again, just because I’ve been here 20 years with the fire department and even longer with the village,” he said. “I’ve seen a handful of clerks go through here, and this is the closest I’ve ever worked with the clerk because she wanted to work with me; help me out because she knows I’m giving my time.”

Members of the council agreed the loss of Archambeau will greatly impact the village and course correction is needed to ensure incidents like the issues between Archarmbeau and the council do not reoccur.

The council agreed to donate $2,500 each to three groups: The Fourth of July Committee, Adams Township first responders and UPSET. Bills approved to be paid by the Council amounted to $25,953.43. Tabled items that will be discussed in future meetings include the village’s drainage system and village ordinances.