January 13 Council Meeting Highlights
January 13 Barnesville Council Meeting Highlights
by Diane Reynolds, Barnesville Area News
Four members of the six council members were present for the first meeting of the new calendar year. Absent from the meeting were Steven Hill and Brian Yarnall.
Village in Good Financial Position
Mayor Jake Hershberger reported that Barnesville is in good financial shape as the new year begins, due to bringing in $1.5 million in oil leasing revenue in 2024. The village pay package has been enhanced, he said, and is “very competitive for the valley.”
In other end-of-year roundup news, the Barnesville Fire and EMS Department Chief Tim Hall reported they handled 1,081 EMS calls, 70 transport calls, and 214 fire calls in 2024.
Village Council Positions
Tony Johnson was reelected as council president for 2025.
Hershberger also presented a list of committee appointments for the new year during the meeting. We will report specific appointments with our next report.
Department of Transportation (ODOT) paving agreement approved
The council voted unanimously to approve a 2026 repaving project for Route 147 from Chestnut Street to the eastern corporation limits.
A second paving project is also moving its way forward, Roger Deal reported. An OPWC paving project for nine Barnesville streets, that would also include street improvements, is now at the top of the list for Belmont County and number two for the district. The total cost for the project is projected to be $684,410, with $379,847 coming from the state grant and the balance as a no-interest loan.
New uniform allowances for village workers
At Chief Rocky Sirianni’s request, the council voted unanimously to amend the ordinance for police uniforms. This increased the annual clothing allowance for police officers to $800 per person up from $600.
Deal said he would be remiss if he did not also request the same increase for other workers, saying “you can’t outfit a man” for the $400 currently allowed. The council unanimously approved a $200 per person uniform increase for full-time village employees, and a similar $200 increase for EMS workers.
Depot roof and depot contract
Hershberger report that the $196,000 price quote for replacing the slate depot roof is still good. He noted that it is difficult to get quotes, as Barnesville is outside of the travel parameters for companies located in places such as Columbus. Council members wondered if a less-expensive “look-alike” substance could be used that would not jeopardize the structure’s listing on the National Register for Historic Places. Hershberger said he would investigate that, as the roof work needs taken care of sooner rather than later.
Cast & Baker Corporation, the firm that was awarded the ODOT grant work on the Barnesville Tunnel, wishes to lease the depot for its workers for $1,300 for ten months. The depot area would be utilized as a “lay yard”. The council approved drafting an agreement for to be voted on at the next meeting.
Work session with theater committee rescheduled/business loan fund revisited
The council work session with State Theater Company representatives was rescheduled for January 21st at 11:00 am, to follow a 9:00 meeting with the Ohio EPA to discuss the Hendrysburg-Fairview water project.
McCort thinks it will be difficult for the council to approve a loan to the theater group because of legalities. Hershberger suggested that a grant from the village might be “safer.” As a possible avenue to help the group secure a loan, Tickhill recommended the council revisit the $100,000 business loan fund through Woodsfield Bank that failed to pass in 2024. McCort said he thought that was a great idea. Hershberger concurred, saying he “would be in huge favor of that.” The loan fund will be introduced for a first reading with a new ordinance number at the next council meeting.
Up to $45,000 approved for improvements to Bohandy building
Terry McCort suggested using the cemetery crew in the winter months to replace the bathroom and do drywall and flooring improvements to the ground floor of the Bohandy building. He noted the floor is a little “rough,” as is the drywall. The ground floor is used three or four times a year by local organizations. Johnson said he thought it was a great idea, and the budget motion passed unanimously.
New trash collection company speaks to council
Dwayne Pielich, whose firm Ohio Valley Waste Systems purchased and took over village trash collection from Pickens Trash Hauling, offered some background on the company. He said the company dates to 1964. He will use smaller trucks that can better accommodate the village’s streets and alleys. He also said the company will institute uniform pricing as it moves forwards, while keeping in mind the budget needs of seniors.
The council’s next regular meeting is set for Monday, January 27 at 7:00.
