Dean Smith grew up in Millersburg and is always looking for new ways to give back to the community. He has served on the Millersburg Town Council for six years and is now president. Being on the Town Council is his way of continuing to be active in the community. Photo provided by Millersburg Town Council.

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

MILLERSBURG — “I grew up in Millersburg and couldn’t ask for a better town,” stated Dean Smith. “It’s quiet, peaceful and a great place for families to live and kids to grow up. Because this community has given me so much, I wanted to find ways to give back to them. I owned/operated an auto repair shop for over nine years and served on our local fire department for 15 years as a firefighter/EMT, six of those years as chief.”

He is now president of the Millersburg Town Council.

The pandemic left Smith with lingering health issues. “I was in the hospital for six days and have lingering breathing problems. I am now limited on some of my earlier activities.” Smith sold his auto shop three years ago. He also resigned from the fire department. He now works at Middlebury Hardwood as a maintenance man.

“It was especially hard to step down from the Clinton Township Fire Department. The idea that I was able to help someone in one of the lowest times of their lives, when they had the greatest need, gave me a real sense of fulfillment.

“Being part of the town council was my way of continuing to be active in the community. Since the Clinton Fire Department and town of Millersburg operate together, I decided I could continue to serve by being on the council.”

Smith ran on the ballet for town council member and received the position. “After I’d been on the council for a couple years, a gentleman who’d served for 20 years and was the president stepped down. Since I was the only one with previous experience, I was appointed president in his place.” Smith has served on the council for two terms, going on six years.

The council consists of three people: the president, and two members at large. “We interact closely with all our town employees; they are our greatest asset”

As president, Smith presides over town board meetings that are held twice a month. “We listen to residents’ concerns and situations that arise and sometimes we mediate between people with opposing views. Everyone has a different problem, and opinion about things. Our job is to come up with the most practical and economical ways to fix them.

“One of our goals is to put more sidewalks in town. We also want to repair and pave our streets that have a lot of wear and tear. One of the streets that we’ve recently completed is Washington Street. We’ve repaired it and put in ADA compliant sidewalks. Our goal is to help people with limited mobility, so they’re able to get out comfortably, and enjoy our town.”

Another project Smith and the council are working on is to expand the parks department and enhance the park. “We want kids and adults to be able to play softball and have picnics. We finished reworking the playground at Cook Station and dedicated that last year.”

Smith and his wife Tina have been married 43 years. They have two grown children and one granddaughter. They’re excited about another grandchild on the way. “There’s nothing as fun as being a grandparent and anyone who is one can certainly understand what I mean.”