Two Join Village Council
By Diane Reynolds, Barnesville Area News
(Diane Reynolds photos)
Village solicitor Richard Myser administered the oath of office for two council members recently appointed to the council – Brad Hudson, top, and Tim McKelvey.
New Council Members sworn in
Solicitor Richard Myser swore in new council members Tim McKelvey and Brad Hudson at the March 10th village council meeting. They replaced Steven Hill and Brian Yarnall, who resigned from the council at the end of January.
The Barnesville High School Shamrock cheerleaders were also on hand, receiving recognition for the many state and regional awards they have recently earned, including the OVAC 3A Championship and state championship at OASSA Cheer State Championship Competition.
Variance approved for new Barnesville Vision Center
Waiving further readings, the council unanimously approved a variance that would allow the new Barnesville Vision Center building that will be erected on North Chestnut Street to come within seven feet of asphalt pavement at its narrowest point. Buildings are required by ordinance to be 10 feet from asphalt, but in this case, said village solicitor Myser, the vote was “absolutely proper,” as a property is allowed deviations for “necessity or hardship.”
New Local Allocation formula approved
The council unanimously approved the new local allocation formula. Village administrator Roger Deal explained that the state of Ohio gives Ohio’s counties funds. The counties can then disburse up to 49 percent of the funds to local jurisdictions. The formula has changed due to population changes, but Barnesville will receive slightly more money by accepting the new formula.
Additional 1.5 acres of ball field land accepted by council
Waiving further readings, the council unanimously accepted the gift of a 1.5 acre parcel of land offered to the village by the CCU Coal & Construction, as long as clear title is provided. Rob Barr has already surveyed the parcel. Council member Terry McCort thanked the coal company for the land, and the “enormous volunteerism to get that.”
The property adjoins a 12-acre plot donated to the village off of Pultney Avenue a few years ago. The property is being developed for ball fields. The additional land will be used for parking.
Business improvement loan program resurrected
A proposed loan program that would allow businesses to make physical improvements to their businesses will move forward, though the details are not yet worked out. The council was divided as to whether to allow the money to be used only for exterior building work or for both interior and exterior improvements. It will take the matter up again at the next council meeting.
“We need to keep this very simple,” council member McKelvey said, stating he did not feel the village needed to conduct background check on borrowers. McCort noted that he’d “love to do something for businesses,” which he said took “huge risks to stick with the town through Covid.”
Handicapped picnic tables
Roger Deal, village administrator, plans to apply for a J.B. Green Team grant that would provide much of the money needed to purchase four handicapped access picnic tables (which could accommodate wheelchairs) and benches.
Village has 200 tons of salt left after winter
Deal also reported that even after a hard winter, the village has salt leftover. He said he was hoping to get out of purchasing an additional 50 tons of salt the village had contracted for.
Seasonal mowers are still needed
The village is still looking to hire at least two more seasonal cemetery mowers, Deal said, asking people to spread the word about the positions.
Travel and meal expense policy amended
Village employees will now be allowed $15 for breakfast, $25 for lunch, and $35 for dinner when traveling. This is up from the allowances set in 2015 of $10, $15, and $25 respectively. The increase was passed unanimously.
Council approves funds to replace destroyed police car
A police vehicle was destroyed when reckless drivers crashed head-on into it on February 25 catching it on fire. Chief Rocky Sirianni reported that the police department had already purchased a 2025 Explorer with K-9 equipment to replace the destroyed car. He asked the council for $66,500 to cover the new vehicle and cover other losses related to the crash. The council unanimously approved the payment. The chief also noted that one of the perpetrators of the accident was a “career criminal.”
Plan to replace tennis courts discussed
Jon Thornton reported one and a half inch cracks on some village tennis courts after the hard winter. He proposed replacing the courts with concrete, and said he had a bid from Bostic Concrete, which had offered to reduce their price by $15,000, bringing it to approximately $80,000. With the discount, this is a “better price that 7-8 years ago,” Thornton said, adding that owner Rick Bostic had assured him the courts would last 15-20 years before needing repairs. Thornton spoke of the popularity of both tennis and pickleball in Barnesville. Roger Deal suggested that Thornton ask Bostic to knock an additional $2,300 off the price to allow the council to approve it without putting the job out to bid. He noted that any project under $77, 250 does not have to be put out for bids.
Council will provide up $18,000 for Watt Center wood trim cleaning and painting
It has been almost 11 years since the Watt Center exterior wood trim has been cleaned and painted. “It’s time,” said Mary Sidwell of the Watt Center of History and the Arts committee. She produced two bids: one for $26,000 from Petticord & Son Painting in Wheeling, the other for $36,000 from local contractors Fitzpatrick Painting and David Earle Builds.
Sidwell proposed that the council split the cost of the project with the Watt group. A motion to do so passed unanimously.
Infrastructure projects
Deal said he is working on grants for water, sewer, and paving projects. He encouraged residents to vote on May 6 for State Issue 2, reauthorizing the state capital projects that fund many local projects throughout Ohio.
