Barnesville Votes to Seek Depot Roof Bids
Grant Funding and Seasonal Employees also Discussed
Barnesville Village Council tackled a number of matters in February, with additional items and a work session on the agenda for tonight’s scheduled meeting (March 9).
In addition to a long debate regarding the proposed purchase of Long Run Lake on Feb. 23, council and the administration considered how to move forward with replacement of the Barnesville Depot roof, discussed obtaining money to assist in supplying Safe Routes to School and announced the need to hire several seasonal employees. The Long Run Lake matter is expected to be revisited when council meets at 7 p.m. today in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.
Bruce Yarnall, representing the Depot Committee, reminded council that efforts to address the building’s roof issues began two years ago, when Mayor Jake Hershberger contacted Ohio Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, and secured $75,000 in state funding for the project. Yarnall said The Durable Slate Co., which has already performed work on the First Presbyterian Church of Barnesville and Olney Friends School, advised the committee that the proper way to repair the depot roof is to lift and relay the tile, which was manufactured in 1916 or 1917, rather than to replace it with different material. He noted that the existing tiles could last up to 200 years as long as they are not broken.
Yarnall noted that one proposal presented was replacement of the roof, using tile that had a 75-year warranty, though the warranty did not apply to the work itself. As a result, two bids were advertised – one for lifting and relaying the existing tile and one for replacement of the roof and tile. Because the initial bids did not include prevailing wage provisions, the bids had to be advertised a second time. He said Durable Slate submitted the only bid, choosing the lift and relay process at a cost of about $211,000.
Yarnall said he also reached out to Mike Rich with General Restoration, who said he could complete the job with either method.
The committee then asked the State Historic Preservation Office if it would approve of the village spending the $75,000 in state funding for a new roof. The office responded with an email that Yarnall shared with council at the Feb. 23 meeting. That message strongly encouraged repair rather than replacement, citing specific standards because the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced,” Standard #6 states. “Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials.”
The email, sent by JoLayne S. Morneau, Architecture Development Reviews Manager, added that the office would need to see color comparisons of replacement tiles, drawings and photographs that would provide a good visual of the existing roof’s condition to conduct a comprehensive review of the proposal. It also offered to work with the committee to help ensure standards are met.
In addition to that email, Yarnall provided photographs of the Cambridge Union Train Station before and after its roof was replaced. The illustrations show that removal of the Spanish-style roof tiles made a significant change to the appearance of that historic building.
“The state money is only good until September of this year, so now we’re down to bidding it out again,” Yarnall said, noting that without the roof being repaired, there is no point in repairing interior plaster or the eaves of the building because leaks will continue.
Yarnall said the Depot Committee would commit $20,000 to the roof work, along with $5,000 from the Belmont County Tourism Council in the form of a GAP grant. With the $75,000 from the state, that amounts to $100,000, or perhaps a little less than half the cost of the project.
He also suggested that if the community does not use the money from the state, it could be more difficult to obtain state funds for future projects. Hershberger agreed.
After hearing from Yarnall, council voted unanimously to advertise for bids for the work.
In other matters, council heard the second reading of an ordinance to amend its investment policy. The third and final reading before a vote will take place this evening.
Solicitor Richard Myser introduced Resolution #4042, which would authorize Hershberger to apply for a Safe Routes to School grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation. The mayor said the program launched in 2024 and that the village made an unsuccessful application in 2025. Based on feedback from ODOT, village leaders worked with May Engineering of St. Clairsville and with Bel-O-Mar Regional Council to put together a “different type” of application.
The village plans to seek $570,000 for a $600,000 project that would allow for repairs and upgrades to sidewalks and pedestrian routes within 2 miles of the elementary school.
Because the application was due the first week of March, council voted unanimously to suspend the rules requiring three public readings of proposed legislation and to pass the resolution, authorizing Hershberger to make the application.
Fire Chief Bobby Froelich announced that the fire department was accepted for a Small Community Volunteer Fire Department grant from the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office. The department had applied for funding to purchase hoses, valves and wildfire gear and was awarded $47,352.09 with no match required.
Village Administrator Roger Deal informed council he is advertising for seasonal employees at Barnesville Memorial Park, including concessions workers, lifeguards and a maintenance employee. He expects to hire more than 30 people.
Deal also said he had contacted American Fireworks and learned that the village will not be able to provide a fireworks display on July 4. He said demand for all fireworks providers is extremely high due to the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.
The display is instead scheduled for Sunday, July 5, with a rain date of Saturday, July 11. He sought and received council’s approval to sign a contract for $17,250 , which is the same amount spent in 2025. Deal and Hershberger will seek sponsors for the event. Fireworks will be launched from the Bradfield Airport.
Council also voted to establish a budget for the village’s America 250 Committee. Councilwoman Robyn Misner noted no money had been appropriated for planning the celebration. She noted the committee already plans to contribute to production of some related artwork.
“And since we’re going to do the mural, we’re going to shell out $2,500 for that; we really don’t want to go crazy with taxpayer money here,” Misner said.
Council voted to approve an additional $2,500 for a total celebration budget of $5,000. Hershberger said he would seek sponsors for those events as well.
Today’s council meeting will be preceded by a work session at 6 p.m. at the fire station.
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