Reduced Council Handles Village Business

by Diane Reynolds, Barnesville Area News

With the council body down to four members, and only three of the four—Robyn Misner, Les Tickhill, and Tony Johnson—at the February 10th council meeting, village solicitor Richard Myser addressed the legalities of three council members making decisions. Because the council is down to four members, the three in attendance created a quorum that could legally conduct business, Myser said.

Council member Terry McCort was absent from the meeting.    

Myser also informed the council that it had until February 28 to replace Brian Yarnall and Steven Hill, both of whom resigned on January 28th. It would be up Mayor Jake Hershberger to appoint new council members after that date. The council decided to advertise for the positions, with letters of interest due by 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 19, and to elect new members at the February 24 meeting.

After suspending further readings, the council unanimously passed an ordinance to select Hunt Engineering to handle the Barnesville North Waterline project, which will extend the village water line to Hendrysburg, Fairview, and Mt Olivet. According to Mayor Jake Hershberger, Hunt’s bid had the “best scoring” of criteria after a competitive bidding process. The council also voted unanimously to approve the OPWC Paving and Street Improvement project and to allow the recodification of ordinances.

Chief Hall reported that the fire department had responded to 111 medical emergencies, 13 fire-related emergencies, and provided five transports from WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital to other medical facilities in the month of January.

Village Administrator Roger Deal put the word out that Parks and Recreation is already trying to find seasonal mowing crews before schools are out for the summer. He asked for people to offer names of possible workers for the spring.

Deal said the village fireworks will take place on July 5th, with a July 6th rain-date. The price for the fireworks has gone up to $9,100.  Deal and Mayor Hershberger will look for sponsors.

Deal also noted the need to sell an old 2003 Chevy truck owned by the village. Wanting to avoid a bidding process, which he said can be dispensed with for sales under $1000, he requested selling the truck for $800 to an employee lacking transportation to work. “This guy desperately needs it.” Deal said. After making a motion to approve the sale, Misner and Tickhill voted for it and Johnson against. Because it was a motion rather than an ordinance or a resolution, it only had to pass with a majority, so the sale was approved. 

The council voted unanimously to approve a $2,000 matching grant for a patriotically themed mural for the VFW post by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist”.

Normally, Hagan charges $15,000 to $20,000 for artwork, but in this case is willing to do this work for less. 

Warren Township Trustee Jim Grear announced that the Barnesville/Warren Township clean-up by the JB Team will take place on Saturday May 3 from 9:00 to 1:00. Volunteers are needed for the annual event.