Energy Firm Leasing Properties in Barnesville
At the October 6 council meeting, village administrator Roger Deal discussed letters most residents in Barnesville recently received in the mail from Grenadier Energy III. The letters were sent out by Ohio Valley Land Services, a company the village and Grenadier has worked with before.
Deal looked into the matter after reading social media posts where residents claimed the letters were a scam, discarding them as junk mail. However, he confirmed the letters are legitimate.
He spoke with a representative who said the project will likely cover about 80% of the village, and it could lead to production and royalties for property owners. Many owners have already signed leases. The company is currently focusing on the eastern and center sections of the village.
Deal received an email that said the company plans to get as many residents signed as possible, with the goal of 80% participation or more.
Deal said Grenadier is offering, $7,000 per acre plus 20% royalties which could be significant and provide extra income for residents. He added that the more people who sign up, the better it will be for the whole community.
Any residents who threw their letter away may contact the village and obtain another copy.
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR SET
Mayor Jake Hershberger discussed plans for the October 30 Halloween Spooktacular held in partnership with the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Hours for the downtown event are 5:30-7 p.m.
Hershberger requested use of the upper section of the East Main Street parking lot for a coffee stand, lemonade stand and possibly a food truck. The lot will close around 4 p.m. for the evening’s activities and follow the same regulations as Fun in the Ville events.
Council approved for the parking lot to be used.
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL WRAP UP
Hershberger praised the fire, police, village employees and Pumpkin Festival committee for their work on the Pumpkin Festival.
“Everybody did a tremendous job making this happen,” he said, “so I appreciate that.”
Deal added these folks are out there in the morning and night making the festival look good for the next day.
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
Fire Chief Tim Hall reminded everyone that the burn ban in Ohio is back in effect for October and November. Residents may not burn from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
He also gave an update on work at the firehouse, stating it is almost complete with a few touch ups remaining.
Hall said the fire department chicken barbecue fundraiser during the Pumpkin Festival that was sponsored by Woodsfield Savings Bank, went very well.
He noted minor issues came up during the festival but were ultimately handled and cleared.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK/LITHIUM BATTERY DANGERS
In a related fire matter, Councilman Tony Johnson reminded everyone of the dangers of throwing lithium batteries in the trash.
He brought up that it’s National Fire Prevention Week, noting the Wheeling Police Department distributed a flyer about the safety of lithium batteries suggesting this may be an issue the village should address. He added his employer, Waste Management of Washington, PA, recently had a fifth truck load catch on fire from lithium batteries that were thrown in the trash.
“I don’t think people think about it, and they don’t know what to do with them, but I can guarantee if you have a trash truck on fire, we’re going to have a major issue.”
Johnson said a burning truck could catch a house on fire up to 15-20 feet away.
He asked citizens to safely dispose of the batteries.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A Resident from Railroad Street told council the paving on Railroad Street where the walking path follows, looks very nice.
MINUTES/PAYMENTS
Council approved the minutes from the Sept. 22 meeting.
Council also approved fiscal officer Jeannie Hannahs to pay the bills presented and invoices of $760,922.79 and approved the September 2025 financial statements and bank reconciliation.
NEXT MEETING
The next council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 20.
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