Paving Contract Approved, Memorial Park Staff Praised for Independence Day Celebration
At the July 14 Barnesville Village Council meeting, Roger Deal, village administrator, shared bids received for the Barnesville Street Improvement Project, a street paving project funded by the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Deal reported four bids were received with, the bid from Cast and Baker of Canonsburg the lowest at $439,628.
“I have no reason not to suggest that you award it to Cast and Baker,” Deal said. “The company is currently doing the trail and tunnel projects, so they’re already here in town and have done fine work in the past.” Council approved moving forward with the lowest bidder.
The contract will cover paving Pultney Avenue, West Main Street from Pultney to the corporation line, Washington Street, Walton Avenue, Cherry Street, Pine Lane, Clifton Street, Cole Street and East Church Street from the Senior Center east to its end.
Another major paving project on tap this summer is SR 147 covering East Main, South Chestnut to W. Pike Street ending at Hilles Avenue. The ODOT project is expected to be completed by September 30.
Village Administrator Roger Deal gave a shoutout to Rich Wells and the park crew for the work they did for the Independence Day celebration July 5. He described the day as awesome.
“The park looked fantastic. Everybody knew what their job was, and they did it well, as always,” Deal said. “They did a great job. We had a lot of hours put in.”
PROJECTS
Council voted to renew the village’s health insurance plans with The Health Plan from Wheeling, the same company currently providing coverage. Mayor Jake Hershberger said the village did not shop for bids this year.
Hershberger also informed council that the village is rebidding the Depot Roof project. The new specs require prevailing wages and a performance bond. The $75,000 state grant requires the wage provision.
Bids will be opened at the municipal building on Wednesday, August 6 at 3 p.m.
The first bid opening revealed three companies would remove the historic tile and relay the good tile, mixing them in with replacements for any broken panels.
The fourth company would tear off the existing tile, dispose of it, and replace it with new tile from the same company that supplied the originals in 1916-17.
Councilman Tim McKelvey said he did not want to “mix and match” the tile, even if it looks the same. He wants all new tile. Other council members agreed.
Whatever route settled upon, state funding requires sign off by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office.
Mayor Hershberger told council there are some 150 acres in the village north of West Main to the park that is not currently leased for oil and gas and that some parties are interested in it. There are also between 50-100 acres in the Slope Creek area that is not leased.
The mayor asked for council’s approval to prepare and advertise a bid package. The request was approved.
Deal mentioned that for a number of years council has been talking about the need to replace the carbon in the filter at the water treatment plant. The current system is 14 years old.
The village has budgeted $150,000 for the project the last couple of years. Deal secured a bid of $77,065 from Appalachian Environmental of Marietta to do the work.
Council approved awarding a contract for the work.
Council also discussed the new tractor needed for the village, as members discussed at the last meeting.
Council decided to dismantle the current tractor for parts.
FIRE CHIEF REPORTS
Fire Chief Tim Hall reported that he, Adam Ackerman, from Ackerman Builders, and Rick Bostic, from Bostic Concrete, got together to see what they could do about the concrete project at the firehouse. Ackerman also attended the council meeting.
POLICE CHIEF REPORTS
Police Chief Rocky Sirianni reminded council of the K-9 Golf Scramble that will take place Saturday, July 26, at Fairway River Links in Rayland. Play gets underway at 7 a.m.
Sirianni said he’s ready to move forward with revising the golf cart ordinance. Solicitor Richard Myser said the ordinance is finished, and he has written an explanation of how the regulations for golf carts will change.
Council is expected to vote on the ordinance at the next meeting.
VILLAGE ITEMS
The annual pool party for village employees and their families will take place Thursday, August 14, from 6-8 p.m. at Barnesville Memorial Park pool. Deal said he’d love for council members to show up and spend some time with everyone.
RESOLUTION
In 2022, the village raised pay 50 cents to $1 an hour for employees with valid backflow licenses. The current regulations stipulate that certified water and sewer department employees receive $1 per hour year round while anybody with a backflow license working in any other department only receives the $1 bonus for hours spent on backflow related issues.
Deal asked council to revise the ordinance to provide that any employee with valid certification would receive the $1 bonus year round.
Myser will prepare the ordinance for consideration at a future meeting.
PERMITS/PAY ORDINANCE
A permit for Makayla Flood at 406 South Chestnut Street for new vinyl siding was approved.
Village fiscal officer, Jeannie Hannahs, received approval to pay bills and invoices totaling $71,376.98.
NEW BUSINESS
A new business is coming to Barnesville at the D&J’s Pizza Parlor building, 112 E. Church St.
Owners of the new business, Charley Lucas and her husband, D. J., attended the meeting to share the news and asked what are the next steps?
Lucas said it will be an interior design studio, construction showroom, and restaurant called the Cowboy Bowl.
She said she knows it’s a wild concept but is excited to take the next step in the village. The couple hopes to open the business before the Pumpkin Festival.
Prior to the regular session at 7 p.m., council met in executive session at 5 p.m. to interview village administrator candidates.
The next village council meeting will take place Monday, July 28, in the municipal building at 7 p.m.
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