Community Leader Mourned, Honored
Mayor Jake Hershberger began the May 4 village council meeting with a moment of silence in honor and memory of Tim Rockwell, Barnesville Pumpkin Festival president, who died suddenly last week at the age of 59.
“He has been a key person in Barnesville, has done tremendous work for the Pumpkin Festival and for Barnesville. His passing has been a shock to many.”
Water and Sewer Rate Study Released
The water and sewer rate study, underway since mid-2021, is complete. The study revealed that the water and sewer department is heading toward a deficit due to mandated future capital improvements.
After the meeting, Administrator Roger Deal confirmed, “We have a major $10 million project coming up at the wastewater treatment plant and many repairs to the water system.”
Hershberger opened the discussion about sharing information with village residents directing council members to a draft cover letter in their packets. Councilman Terry McCort suggested sending out letters and monitoring responses. Councilwoman Lindsey Dowdle suggested there should be a place on the village website where questions, concerns and comments may be left. She also suggested a Town Hall forum might be beneficial.
Council President Brad English expressed the opinion that the information needs to be disseminated in an understandable fashion.
“I think we owe it to the community to explain why this is happening,” English said. “The fact of the matter is, we are looking at a deficit, and this is something we have to correct. And it sucks, and I don’t want to raise rates either, but that’s where we are.”
Councilman Terry McCort interjected, “But it is such a small increase.”
English responded, “It’s really not. When you look through the five-year span.”
Council directed village administrator Roger Deal to draft the letter to customers directing them to the village website where they may share responses.
Once that is complete, council will determine the next step in the process.
Belmont Savings Bank Land Donation
Belmont Savings Bank has offered to donate to the village a triangular parcel of land adjacent to the bank branch bounded by Railroad Street and East Main Street. The offer comes with the request the village allow the BHS Class of 1975 erect a public pavilion on the property.
“The village is maintaining it already, but we would take over ownership and maintaining [the building] and the liability and stuff,” Mayor Hershberger said.
Belmont Savings Bank will survey the property before the parcel is transferred. Council members discussed the future maintenance of the pavilion and who would clean up after events. Deal stated that he felt that the village and the class of 1975 could work that out.
The council voted 5-0 to accept the property donation. Councilman Cole Carpenter was absent.
Police Department Codified Ordinances Revised
Previously, Police Chief Rocky Sirianni asked council to increase the number of patrol officers from 8 to 9, which requires revisions to Chapter 141 of Barnesville’s codified ordinances.
Chief Sirianni explained that the additional full-time officer would be assigned to the high school resource officer position and as a utility officer during the summer months. Barnesville School District would pay 65% of the officer’s salary.
Rules were suspended, and council passed Ordinance #4046 by a vote of 5-0.
The revised ordinance also amends and removes outdated provisions that were in the document.
Plan for Fire/EMS Equipment Replacement
Councilman Mark Lucas raised the topic from a recent work session between the finance and safety committees to create a fire equipment replacement plan.
Fire Chief Bobby Froehlich said, “Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff that the EMS and Fire uses has a lifespan” noting the National Fire Protection Association sets the standards for equipment use and replacement.
He added, “I can put a plan together for you, so you can see the projections going forward.”
Hershberger said that a work session would take place after more information is gathered.
Council approved adding Derek Stewart to the EMS, and removing Jeff Lucas from both fire and EMS rosters.
Other Business
The fiscal officer’s payment listing totaling $182,113.06 was approved for payment.
An ODOT paving project impacting East Main Street/State Route 147 will start on May 11. The work includes making repairs, milling the asphalt surface and final paving. The project will cover the roadway from the center of Barnesville to Bridge Street in Belmont.
The Mayor’s Court April Report totaled $3,406.00, breaking down into $862.50 for the state, $34.50 for the county, and $2,509.00 for the village.
The following building permits were approved:
- Carly West & Kristal Hunkler at 971 Shamrock Drive for an addition
- Paul Clark at 428 West Main Street for a new metal roof
- Woodsfield Savings Bank at 201 North Chestnut Street for an addition
- DenMike Properties at 125 East Main Street for a new awning and windows
- Charles Dlesk at 301 Henderson Street for a new metal roof
Warren Township Trustee Jimmy Grear reported that Clean Up Day went very well. There were approximately 190 vehicles in the drop off line. The JB Green Team that manages the program also accepted electronics this year.
“It was a good day, and we had plenty of help.” Several village employees also assisted with the event.
The next Barnesville Council meeting is on May 18 in the Council Chambers. Meeting minutes and agendas can be found on the Village of Barnesville website.
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