BLANCHESTER — Blanchester Village Council held the final reading Thursday, approving an ordinance abolishing Blanchester’s Board of Trustees of Public Affairs (BPA) in a 4-2 vote, with Council Members Chad Hollon and Reilly Hopkins voting no.

Acting Mayor Cindy Sutton did not wish to comment at this time, but she expressed that Mayor John Carman apologized for not being at the meeting. According to Sutton, he was on a trip that had been planned long before the issue came up.

BPA Chairperson James Bowling told the News Journal he was disappointed. Hopkins said he felt the process was rushed and they should’ve only done it if they had no other option. Both expressed similar feelings that there was an agenda to the vote.

There is now a 30-day waiting period to see if a referendum is presented to put on the November ballot. If no referendum is presented, the BPA wouldn’t dissolve until a village administrator is hired. Bowling said their initial plan was to seek a referendum.