Tensions Rise at Barnesville Village Council
Disagreements arose at the village’s Monday evening meeting, regarding the reappointment of solicitor Richard Myser.
Myser informed council his two-year contract with the village expired at the end of November and presented a resolution he had prepared for reappointment. He explained Barnesville has no ordinance outlining how to hire a solicitor, which causes the village to follow the Ohio Revised Code. It states the mayor appoints the solicitor and council approves the appointment and salary.
Although Myser’s contract ended at the end of November, he explained that he is still the village’s solicitor until he is reappointed or somebody else is hired.
Mayor Jake Hershberger said additional outside interest has been expressed for serving as the solicitor, so he considered advertising the position and going through that process to see which candidates would be the best fit.
Council members disagreed with the mayor, stating that Myser is in the middle of major projects, such as the waterline extension project and bringing in someone new would create problems, especially with new council members entering as well.
Myser said he did not know there were any questions about the position, but he and the mayor had a conversation before the meeting, and Hershberger suggested they discuss it that evening.
“We’ve got Richard in the middle of all these projects, and you’re considering somebody else …,” councilman Terry McCort said, “but you’re the appointee, so appoint on.”
Councilman Brad Hudson agreed with McCort.
Members asked Myser what he thinks about a new solicitor coming in during ongoing projects.
“You’re going to have a big problem with that,” Myser said, “whoever you hire at this point is going to have to step into the middle of a very, very complicated project.”
Patti Napolitano who attended the meeting chimed into the conversation, asking if Myser would like to table the discussion until a later time when he’s prepared to discuss it openly and have village residents comment on it.
Myser said he brought up the resolution for discussion.
He then explained he is not asking for an increase in salary and he is only seeking reappointment.
Council members shared their opinions on how satisfied and happy they are with Myser serving the village as solicitor, stating that he’s done an excellent job.
Councilman Tim McKelvey motioned a “vote of confidence,” in which all other members approved to show how much they are satisfied with Myser.
“No matter what happens, you served us well …,” he said. “We could argue this all night. Can we move ahead? I don’t think council’s going to change its opinion. I don’t think you’re (Hershberger) going to change your opinion.”
JUNIOR WOMEN’S CLUB OF BARNESVILLE SHELTER
Village Administrator Roger Deal announced that Adam Ackerman and his wife, Alyssa, have offered to construct a replacement for the Women’s Club Shelter at no cost to the village. He requested the shelter retain its original name, the Junior Women’s Club of Barnesville Shelter, and that his own name not be added.
“That’s a big deal,” Mckelvey said.
Deal also described it as “awesome.”
The shelter is deteriorating and beyond repair. Deal received a $28,200 estimate from C & T Construction to replace the structure.
RESOLUTIONS/ORDINANCES
Myser read the second reading of resolution 4027, which is an application to participate in the Appalachian Regional Commission program for the Barnesville North Waterline Extension Project. This project will extend a waterline to Hendrysburg, Mt. Olivett Road and Fairview.
Myser also read the second reading of resolution, 4028, which is to apply for the water supply revolving loan account from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Barnesville North Waterline Extension project.
Myser read the first readings of the following ordinances after council decided it was not necessary to suspend the rules as the month of December has three council meetings:
Ordinance 4030, increasing pay rates for village employees. The compensation for hourly full-time and part-time village employees will be increased by $2 per hour.
Ordinance 4031, increasing the salary for the village administrator. The village administrator’s salary will increase to $104,105.
Ordinance 4032, increasing the salary for the fire chief and assistant fire chief. The fire chief’s salary will increase to $35,160, while the assistant fire chief’s salary will increase to $23,600.
Ordinance 4033, increasing “per call” rate for fire calls.
Ordinance 4034, to set the starting wages for village employees.
Myser read the first reading of ordinance 4035 for the 2026 annual appropriations. This is an ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the village of Barnesville during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026.
Council voted to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance for the evening as fiscal officer Jeannie Hannahs who needed it in place as soon as possible.
NOVEMBER MAYOR’S COURT REPORT
Village = $2,390
State = $972.50
County = $37.50
Total = $3,400
FIRE REPORT
Fire Chief Tim Hall reported that during the month of November the fire department was dispatched 14 times, while emergency medical services were dispatched 95 times. The department had three transfers from WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital to other facilities.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS
Deal raised a problem for council to consider, that is allowing Amish horse and buggies to cross the tunnel trail near the Depot. The tunnel runs diagonally underneath East Main Street by the BellStores.
Concerns were discussed about horse manure on the trail, the lack of cleanup from buggy drivers and potential damage to the trail surface from horse hooves.
Members discussed creating an ordinance requiring horse-drawn vehicles to use manure catching devices, such as “diapers,” when traveling through the village.
“I love the Amish folks, but if they’re going to have the horses in here … they either need to clean up after themselves, or we need to do an ordinance actually requiring the “diapers,” Deal said.
Council will continue the discussion at later meetings.
Deal also brought up that there is an issue on the trail tunnel project that will result in a delay for completion and he is currently navigating through that. More information will be shared as it develops.
The village received the bulk chemical bids for the water plant. Deal reviewed and highlighted the lowest bidders for council members: Bonded Chemicals and PVS Nolwood doing business as SAL Chemical, which means the village is buying from SAL Chemicals while it operates under owner’s PVS Nolwood. The village has worked with both companies in the past.
The estimated total cost is $112,335.60 for the year, $2,000 lower than last year. Deal requested council’s approval of the low bids, and members approved. The village accepts the low bid on each item that it bids out. Bonded Chemicals was a low bid on some of the items while PVS Nolwood doing business as SAL Chemical was the other low bidder on the rest.
Deal also encouraged council members to take a trip to Barnesville Memorial Park and take in the Christmas lights.
“You’ll be amazed when you see the final product.”
NEW COUNCIL ELECTS
The new council members elect, Lindsay Dowdle, Mark Lucas, Brad English and Cole Carpenter, attended the meeting.
MINUTES
Council approved the minutes from the Nov. 17 meeting with councilwoman Robyn Miser abstaining. She was absent at that meeting.
FINANCE
Council approved for Hannahs to make the payment listing in the amount of $69,278.52.
NEXT MEETING
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 in the municipal building.
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