Fire Chief Reports on Derelict Property at Council Meeting
Following Locust Drive resident Dr. P.K. Souri’s comments at the May 5 meeting, Fire Chief Tim Hall provided an update on several derelict and condemned properties at the most recent village council meeting.
- The house on Locust Drive will comply if the broken window is replaced or the opening covered with plywood. Mowing also needs to take place.
- A house on Clifton Street without any working utilities has been condemned and, in Hall’s opinion, should be demolished. The individual who was living there is now in a Guernsey County care facility.
- Two properties near the intersection of Hunts Avenue and South Gardner Street are also condemned. One property has been signed over and is on the demo list for the county land bank. The other has not.
- The large house at the top of East Main Street hill that has been tied up in probate court for years is now out of court, Hall said. He expects the owners will remove the antiques that were stored there by the late former owner, an antiques dealer, and the property offered for sale.
- The three-story commercial building on East Main Street was also discussed. Upper story windows are taped in place or missing altogether and plywood replaced a broken plate glass display window years ago. Hall said the out-of-town owners who are Barnesville natives, told him they have the materials to make needed repairs which were promised soon.
Hall estimates there are 10-15 properties in the village that need to be demolished.
At the end of the presentation, Mayor Hershberger urged Hall to “stay on top of it”.
Hall also shared he would provide a meal for EMS personnel as part of National EMS Provider Week, May 18-24.
Contact Resolution Delayed Again
The third reading of Resolution #4011 with CTI Engineers, Inc. was delayed again. Under discussion is the cost for engineering costs related to a yet-unfunded construction phase amounting to $388,000. Village Administrator Roger Deal also suggested a $31,000 charge be removed from the contract.
Council member Brad Hudson said, “lets table it one more time” before making a motion to do just that.
The delay was approved 4-0. Council member Robyn Misner was absent from the meeting.
Depot Lease Presented, Under Review
Solicitor Richard Myser presented a revised agreement for the depot lease. The lease is now proposed between the village and the Barnesville Community Foundation with the depot committee as sublessee.
Mayor Hershberger said there was no hurry for an ordinance to approve the document. It must also be reviewed and approved by the foundation and the state of Ohio that has committed $75,000 for the depot roof project.
While the type of materials for the roof project has generated a lively debate at recent meetings, the use of the building was at issue at this meeting.
The state money hinges on 10 years of public use of the building and the proposed contract includes this as a condition.
Administrator Roger Deal said, “the question is what is public use.”
Council member Tim McKelvey said he is not comfortable limiting the use of the building. He sees commercial uses like a restaurant or brewery as possibilities
Hershberger and depot committee member Bruce Yarnall said they would ask the state a definition of the term “public use.”
Hershberger also shared bids for roof project will be opened Wednesday, June 4 at 3 pm at the municipal building.
Larger Fireworks Display
The July 5 Fireworks display this year will be substantially larger thanks to corporate underwriting and an increased appropriation approved by council.
Last year’s budget was $9,100. Mayor Hershberger said he is confident he can secure four $2,000 corporate donations. Donations are also requested by the park director by letter each year.
The Council voted to increase the village contribution by $4,000 to match the donations, increasing the appropriation to $17,100.
Golf Cart Ordinance Review
Police Chief Rocky Sirianni asked the council to consider updating the ordinance regarding use of golf carts on village streets. The current ordinance limits travel to non-state routes with a speed limit of 25 mph.
Ohio law has changed since the village ordinance was approved. Travel is now allowed on roadways with a speed limit up to 35 mph.
The chief was directed to work with the village solicitor on the amended language.
Personnel
Police Chief Rocky Sirianni asked the mayor to appoint a new full time police officer. Brian Horne was approved for the recently opened position.
Roger Deal said the open assistant’s position in the water office is filled with the recent hiring of Essie Wilson. Wilson was previously manager at the now closed KFC/A & W restaurant.
Leaking Pool
Administrator Roger Deal said the Memorial Park pool is leaking again this year. The original pool installer, Astro Pools will install a new aluminum panel at the site of the leak. Once in, all seams will be caulked.
Water leaks have bedeviled the village since the pool was constructed years ago.
Park Traffic
Council member Tim McKelvey asked the police chief to look at the possibility of changing the stop sign at the exit from Memorial Park at North Chestnut to a yield sign. He said there is rarely ever traffic coming down the hill.
Traffic backs up after major games and events at the park, he said. A yield sign would help with traffic flow.
Water Project Meetings
Mayor Hershberger reminded members of two upcoming meetings at the Pennyroyal Opera House on the proposed Hendrysburg-Fairview, Mt. Olivet water project. Solicitor Richard Myser said he would attend one session.
Meetings are now set for Thursday, June 5, 7:00 and Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00.
Other Items
A pay ordinance of $117,325.37 was approved as was a building permit to demolish a condemned structure at 294 Dewey Avenue.
Village Clerk Jeannie Hannahs will meet with the council finance committee at 6:00 prior to the next meeting of June 2. Under review will be the 2026 budget that must go to the county budget commission this summer.
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