Water/Sewer Ordinances Read, New Police Chief Named
The Barnesville Village Council met on Monday, July 27, at the municipal building in front of a packed chamber.
Village Solicitor Richard Myser read ordinance #4053, which abolishes the current water rate ordinance section and replaces it with a new section with water rate increases. The recommendation from the Council Water & Sewer Committee may be viewed here.
Mayor Jake Hershberger explained that he used the previous ordinance instead of the current water rates when gathering the information for the draft new ordinance. Thus, amounts need to be adjusted to reflect the current rates, the mayor explained, suggesting reading the ordinance for the first time and correcting the ordinance language at the next meeting.
“Can we do something like 5% for the next 5 years?” Councilmember Mark Lucas asked. “I’m thinking about the people of the village.” He continued to explain the affordability for the residents and how he would rather raise the rates in smaller increments.
Council President Brad English explained that comparing the increases proposed in the study versus those recommended by the committee, “while it is an increase, we are talking dollars and change per month versus doubled.” English pointed out that for a 1,000-gallon residential bill in 2027, the cost would be roughly an additional $48 for the year.
Council agreed that the water and sewer rate ordinances would be corrected and read a second time at the next meeting on August 10. No votes are taken on ordinances until the third, and final, reading.
Police Chief Rocky Sirianni officially announced that he will step down as chief to serve as a resource officer at Barnesville High School. Chief Sirianni has been with the Barnesville Police Department for almost 20 years, with nearly nine years as chief.
“I believe that I have accomplished everything I set out to do as chief of police,” Sirianni said. “I am ready to move on to the next phase of my career.”
Following Chief Sirianni’s recommendation, Hershberger asked Council to confirm the appointment of Lt. Matthew Tippie as the new police chief, beginning August 16 with a six-month probationary period. Council suspended the three-reading rule passing the resolution 6-0.
During public participation, Scott Whitacre shared with the import significance of local resident Ron Preston, an advocate for conservation in this area. He played in creating the village’s Source Water Protection Plan many years ago and recently passed away just shy of his 90th birthday.
“If Council could review the Source Water Protection Plan and make sure that everything is being done to follow…and continue that plan, I am sure it would put a smile on Ron’s face.”
Village Administrator Deal said the plan has indeed been reviewed. “But I may take Scott’s suggestion and get the committee back together.”
Paul Cameron, candidate for 95th district state representative, introduced himself. “I’m getting out to village council meetings throughout the district to hear what sort of problems the villages have.” Cameron said.
“My primary focus is, if elected, to make sure that Southeast Ohio quits getting forgotten by Columbus and making sure villages know what grants are available.”
Council went into executive session at approximately 8 p.m. to consider a sale of property. When the regular meeting resumed, the Council granted the mayor or the village administrator permission to execute an agreement with Gulfport, an oil & gas company, for raw water sales.
Event Street Closures and Drainage Issue Discussed
The Council approved road closures for the Back-to-School Fun in the Ville Thursday, August 6 on a vote of 5-1, with Lucas opposed.
From the Barnesville Schools Central Office, North Broadway will be closed to West Main Street. The 100 block of West Main Street will also be closed for the event.
Scott Whitacre of the Main Street Barrel House Bistro, presented information on the restaurant’s car cruise-in planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on Sunday, Sept. 6. Whitacre requested approval to use the East Main Street parking lot for the event. The Council unanimously approved the request.
Rhiana Long, a resident on Beech Street, shared her frustration with a drainage issue. “Every time that it rains, the gravel pushes down onto my sidewalk,” Long said. Hershberger and Deal agreed to visit the site and determine what will fix the problem.
Building Permits
The following building permits were approved:
- Bonnie McGee — 109 Pine Lane — New Porch
- Megan Perko — 738 E. Main Street — New Porch
Other News
Invoices submitted by the fiscal officer totaling $109,387.31 were approved.
Resolution #4050, authorizing the fiscal officer to request a separate debt service fund from the state of Ohio, was read for the first time. The fund will be utilized to pay the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) loan for the 2026 Paving Street Improvement Project.
Rules were suspended for the passage of resolution #4051 due to the submission deadline. This resolution authorizes the village administrator, to prepare and submit an application to OPWC for capital improvements to various village streets proposed in the 2027 Barnesville Street Improvement Program. The resolution passed unanimously.
Ordinance #4052, amends the annual appropriation ordinance (#4035) and permits an OPWC loan of $107,685.00 for the 2026 Paving Street Improvement Program be added to the street fund, was read for the first time.
Council approved $500 for the August 1 Fire Department and EMS annual Safety Day at Barnesville High School. Funds will assist with the event’s cost.
The Clear Well Rehab Project bid opening is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at 10 a.m. in the Village Administrator’s office.
A Water and Sewer Committee meeting was set for July 29 at 3 o’clock in the Council Chambers.
The next Barnesville Village Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, August 10, in the municipal building. The Barnesville Village Council minutes and agendas are available on the town website.
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