Council to Look for Another Company for Depot Roof Project
Council discussed the depot roof project at Monday evening’s meeting. Mayor Jake Hershberger said there was one bid submitted on the project from the second round of bidding.
Durable Slate Company submitted a bid of $211,770 that follows prevailing wage guidelines and includes a performance bond. Durable’s proposal is to “lift and relay” the tiles mixing in appropriate used tile for any originals that are broken or damaged.
Two council members, Tony Johnson and Brad Hudson, want completely new tile, while members Leslie Tickhill and Tim McKelvey were okay with the “lift and relay method”.
“If you don’t have a good roof, you don’t have a building,” McKelvey said.
Johnson said he thought council would want completely new tile on the roof because it’s currently more than 100 years old.
Depot committee member and historic preservationist Bruce Yarnall said good tile can last hundreds of years and the method proposed by Durable is an acceptable industry standard that was approved by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office.
McKelvey made a motion to accept the bid because “this project needs to start, and it has been years in the making”. Tickhill seconded the motion.
It was a tie vote, with Tickhill and McKelvey voting in favor, and Johnson and Hudson opposed. Since two other council members were not present, the deciding vote would normally fall to Mayor Hershberger. However, because he is a member of the Barnesville Depot committee, casting a vote would be considered a conflict of interest. The tie vote stands leaving the project at an impasse.
McKelvey said he was done looking for a solution suggesting the two members who voted no will need to look for a company that will do the project with new tile.
A $75,000 state grant must be spent by 2026 or the village will lose the money. At the present time, $90,000 from other sources is confirmed while the depot committee has several pending grant applications.
PROJECTS
The Ohio Facilities Commission requested a few changes on the depot lease. Hershberger read a summary of the changes. The state wants the first term of the lease be 10 years past the last day of construction. Hershberger stated if council did 11 years for the first term of the lease, that would exceed the 10-year mark. After that, the lease can go by five year terms or whatever arrangements the two parties agree to. The state also wants the lease notarized.
Myser said he believes all of the conditions are minor matters. Council held the second reading of the lease ordinance #4012 . At the next meeting, Myser will include the state recommended changes for the third reading when a vote will take place.
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
Village Administrator Roger Deal reported he will prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program for 2026. Resolution #4018 will permit the village to seek funds to pave several streets next year.
Deal indicated time was of essence. Approval will be needed at the next meeting, Deal added.
Council could not suspend the rules Monday evening because two council members were absent, Robyn Misner and Terry McCort. It takes five votes votes to suspend the rules. As a result, the first reading of the ordinance took place.
Deal will have an estimate of proposed costs at the next meeting to share with council.
“We all agree our streets are not in the best of shape,” Tim McKelvey said, suggesting the village look into putting more money into paving next year.
He recommended looking at some of the anticipated funds from oil and gas lease bids that the town will review at the next meeting. Another source of funding could be investments, McKelvey said.
STREET-ALLEY-SIDEWALK
Deal said the SR 147/South Chestnut Paving project is expected to get underway this week with milling down and removing the old asphalt on the road. The ODOT funded project will result in a new asphalt surface from East Main Street to the corporation limit at Hilles Avenue.
SAFETY
Tickhill said he’s had a few people question him about the lack of crosswalks in the village. Members discussed how the park entrance is another place that could use a crosswalk.
Fire Chief Tim Hall also suggested installing a four-way stop at the intersection of North Arch and East Church Street. It is one of the busiest intersections in town, he said.
The safety conversation continued as council members discussed that a child on a scooter was struck by a car near the Dairy Queen this week.
Hudson noted two incidents he witnessed of children on scooters that could have turned dangerous.
Scooters have become very popular in the last couple months, and this sparked conversation about how more education and safety tips should be shared with the young scooter drivers. Police Chief Rocky Sirianni will check into the matter.
On another safety matter, Tony Johnson added that drivers need to stop when a traffic light is red, referring to the number of drivers ignoring the temporary traffic lights up for the Bond Avenue/North Street drainage project. They are there for a reason, he said.
Johnson also said lithium batteries being thrown away in the regular the trash has been a problem, which can result in a chemical reaction and fire. Over the past three months, trash haulers have experienced several garbage truck fires after the batteries are crushed by the compactor.
He added throwing away lithium batteries creates a safety risk for the public because they can burn houses down, catch cars on fire or burn the asphalt off the ground.
Johnson emphasized people need to dispose of lithium batteries properly.
The JB Green Team has county-wide collection days on Oct. 3-4 at the Belmont County Fairgrounds to collect electronics and hazardous materials including lithium batteries.
PERMITS
Fire Chief Tim Hall read two permits which were approved for Scott Gallagher at 237 Roosevelt Road for a new garage and Roger Clark at 380 South Chestnut St. to demolish a house.
Avenues of Barnesville and Blue Moon Tavern owner Susan Lapham and director of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce Jill Hissom attended the meeting seeking approval for two events and that would also allow them to apply for a one-day alcohol license for the the events.
Lapham asked for permission to use the West Main Street parking lot on Oct. 25 for the annual chili cook off and Hissom asked to use the lot later that day for for a cornhole tournament to raise money for Christmas in the Park.
Lapham added the alcohol would be access controlled. Hissom said if council grants Lapham approval, she would like to use the one-day alcohol license for the tournament as well.
Hudson asked Lapham if it’d be possible to limit each visitor to two drinks and maybe have tickets required for the drinks.
“I would love it if you guys would let us try it one time,” Hissom said. “Other villages have established DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas), and there have been no negative reports on DORA. And we’re just asking for a one-day trial.”
Hissom also suggested during the events, the organizers could rope off the parking lot and have visitors drink out of a certain color cup.
Tickhill said he thinks council should approve the proposal and give it a try with drink limitations and tickets.
The question of the village’s insurance was raised. Myser said he was not necessarily concerned about insurance but asked if Lapham had contacted the Department of Liquor Control.
Lapham said she needs permission from council first to use the parking lot. Hissom added the liquor license must be filed 30 days prior to the event.
Myser suggested looking into the insurance question before council makes a decision. There is still time before Oct. 25 to apply for a license.
EVENTS
Deal told council the last swim day for the pool this season is Sunday.
Scott Baker attended the meeting to thank the village for the support on the Eyes of Freedom Memorial for the past four years.
Baker asked for council’s permission to use the police and fire department again this year as escorts the afternoon of September 21.
Since the opening ceremony and Quilts of Valor presentations will take place on Sept. 22, the regular date for a council meeting, members voted to change the date so council members can attend the program. The council meeting date will now take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
RECOGNITIONS
Hershberger discussed Safety Day and thanked the police and fire chief for their efforts and everyone who helped.
“It was really good, a good turnout,” Police Chief Rocky Sirianni said. “And it’s good to get the kiddos out and talk and interact with them. We try to continue that growth and participation every year.”
During the meeting, Hershberger recognized that Ohio Magazine named Barnesville as one of five Best Hometowns in the state for 2025-2026. He recognized efforts from Belmont County Tourism and the village.
NEXT MEETING
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 in the municipal building.
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