Barnesville to Annex Nearly 10 acres on East End
Barnesville Village Council authorized Mayor Jake Hershberger to enter an annexation agreement that will add 9.443 acres to the community.
Council unanimously approved Resolution #4038 following its third public reading on Feb. 9. The legislation authorizes Hershberger to enter an agreement with the Warren Township Board of Trustees that will see the village incorporate property owned by T.J. Jefferis at the east end of the village on the opposite of Ohio 147 from Emerald Point Health and Rehabilitation. Village Administrator Roger Deal described the site as the former English property and said Jefferis has not shared any plans he has for future development there.
Warren Township Trustee Jimmy Grear, who was on hand at the meeting, also was present at the Jan. 12 council meeting and said the trustees have no objection to the annexation and had passed a resolution in support of the plan earlier that evening.
Council also heard the first reading of Ordinance #4040, which would amend the village’s investment policy. According to Solicitor Richard Myser, the legislation was drafted at the recommendation of an auditor. It addresses interest generated by an account that holds revenue from motor vehicle fees. That interest currently is directed to the General Fund. If the legislation is passed after three public readings, it would alter the policy to direct that interest back to the fund where it is generated.
Meanwhile, Deal informed council and attendees that the Ohio Department of Transportation intends to pave Main Street this year.
“They have sold the project as part of a much bigger project. It’s actually going to start at the intersection of Chestnut and Main, and it’s going to go clean through town of course, and then all the way to State Route 149,” he said, describing the terminal point just outside the village of Belmont, where an intersection widening effort also is planned. “They’ve sold the project to Shelley & Sands, they’ll be the contractor. They don’t have any idea of where they’re going to start or when they’re going to start, but they’ll notify me when they have a pre-construction meeting, and I will attend.”
Councilman Mark Lucas asked about a valve that needs to be replaced by the Water Department. Deal confirmed the valve is on East Main Street at Grace Avenue and that it will be replaced before paving begins. He noted that there is a spring in that area and said the area may still see water after the valve is replaced.
Also under street and alley matters, Hershberger commended village works for their snow removal work in recent weeks.
Council then heard from new Fire Chief Bobby Froelich Jr., who was appointed in January.
“First off, I just want to thank the council for having faith in me,” he said. “It’s quite an honor, I’ll be honest with you, and I just wanted to thank you for voting me in. I’m going to give my best, and I’m going to do the best I can for you.”
Froelich was appointed along with Chris Hendershot as assistant chief following recent retirements from the department.
Froelich said the number of calls the department responded to in January was less than half the number in December. He also explained that the department cannot bill for emergency squad calls to an auto accident if someone refuses to be transported. It also cannot bill for performing lift assists. He said 23-25% of emergency medical calls are not paid.
Froelich also commented on the possibility of purchasing a new emergency squad that was first raised at the Jan. 12 council meeting. Hershberger had explained that an ambulance manufacturer had contacted the village several months ago and offered to build a squad to the department’s specifications without the village having to commit to any purchase. He said village officials expected to hear that the vehicle was finished in June or July 2026, but they recently were notified that the village needed to decide whether to buy the squad by Feb. 1 or the company would make the vehicle available for sale to anyone.
He said the cost of the new squad would be $280,000-$300,000 with an additional $100,000 needed to finish equipping it. He pointed out that it can take 24 to 36 months to have a squad built.
Froelich told council he believes the department can wait to purchase a new squad. He discussed the wear and tear on the two existing squads, including “idle miles” that takes a toll on their engines.
He also announced that the department will host a spaghetti dinner from 4-7 p.m. March 19 at the firehouse. Other planned activities include a June 13 fishing tournament for area children and Safety Day on Aug. 1, which will also include the chicken barbecue traditionally held during the Pumpkin Festival in September. Safety Day will take place in the Barnesville High School parking lot.
Froelich also asked council to remove Joey Sellers, Tim Hall Jr. and Daniel Grady from the fire department roster. Council approved unanimously.
Meanwhile, Hershberger provided a Mayor’s Court report for January. He said the state received $927.50, Belmont County $34.50 and the village $2,583.
Deal announced that the village is seeking to hire two employees – a water distribution crew leader position and a labor operator position. He said he has received “some pretty good applications.”
Council also approved two building permits. Kimberly Fuchs plans to build a new home at Morgantown Avenue, while Dave Wilson intends to build a new garage with an attached office and apartment on Mulberry Street.
In other business, Dominic DeFelice, a Republican candidate for a Belmont County Board of Commissioners seat, introduced himself. He provided campaign literature and asked for everyone’s vote in the May 5 primary election, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. across Ohio.
The next meeting of Barnesville Village Council will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Municipal Building.
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