SWANTON TOWNSHIP – Swanton Township’s new zoning inspector, Ben Mooney, is no stranger to township government.
“Back home, my father was a zoning inspector for Claridon Township and has been a trustee for years,” said Mooney, who grew up around Marion, Ohio before moving to Toledo in 1996.
In 2021, he and his wife, Danielle, moved to Swanton Township and got involved with the community, helping out at the Swanton American Legion. Ben also was an assistant coach for Swanton Schools’ high school football program last fall.
“We love it out here, and we like being involved with the community,” he said. “When I saw the zoning inspector position, I thought it would be a good way to be more involved.”
As the owner of BMD Renovations LLC, Mooney does home remodeling, with skills and knowledge that will come in handy as zoning inspector. Already, the township trustees have asked him to check out resident concerns. He succeeds Kim Middleton, who served in the role for two years before resigning on December 31.
Township trustees noted during their special March 24 meeting that Mooney accepted the position on March 11 and started immediately.
During the meeting, trustees also:
-Approved the 2026 permanent budget as presented by Fiscal Officer Mindy Curry.
-Heard that work on the temporary 2027 budget will begin in May and include a public meeting.
-Voted to opt out of Dynergy for electric aggregation and agreed to compare rates online with Apples to Apples.
-Approved faithful performance coverage with Hylant Insurance for the fiscal officers, trustees and zoning inspector, at a rate of $385 a year.
-Agreed that the two maintenance employees can alter their work hours to four, 10-hour days during the summer, with one working Monday through Thursday and another Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both workers will need to be present in the event of a burial on a Monday or Friday.
-Discussed a $150 allowance for steel-toed boots and $250 for uniforms for maintenance workers. Curry will come up with a policy for review at the next meeting, which is Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
