Downtown Orrville building on track to get mural sporting train engine

Shams Mustafa
·2 min read
Mayor David Handwerk reads a proclamation at Monday's Orrville City Council meeting declaring May as Electric Safety Month. He encourages citizens to practice electrical safety habits.
Mayor David Handwerk reads a proclamation at Monday's Orrville City Council meeting declaring May as Electric Safety Month. He encourages citizens to practice electrical safety habits.

Orrville City Council

Monday, May 1, meeting

KEY ACTION The city will enter into a lease agreement with the owners of the Pavilion Insurance building to transform a 100-year-old building’s wall into artwork before the festival season starts.

DISCUSSION The resolution authorizes Mayor Dave Handwerk to lease a side of the Pavilion Insurance building located on Market Street. The art project will be a 14-foot high, 40-foot wide picture of a train engine designed by Kristin Lorson. The building, owned by Scott and Jennifer Schaffter, will be on a five-year automatically renewed contract at a cost of $120 a year. The project cost is between $5,500 and $5,900. It will be reviewed at a Design and Review board meeting. Work start as the weather allows.

Other actions: Council OKs two tax abatements

City council approved a request from Jarrett Logistic Co. for a tax abatement for its Phase 3 expansion. The company will add 93,000 square feet to a warehouse located on Main Street. Four jobs will be created, according to Jarrett. Council approved the 50% tax abatement for 10 years.

A tax abatement was approved for MGAN LLC and Bekeart Corp., also for 50% for 10 years. A 40,000 square-feet will be added to Bekeart's building along Collins Boulevard. It also will create four jobs.

In other business, Handwerk proclaimed May as Electric Safety Month. He encouraged citizens to practice electrical safety habits to reduce the number of electric-related fires, injuries and deaths.

Legislation is planned to be introduced to council regarding owning chickens in the city. Several residents have shown interest in raising chickens.

The Department of Energy will ban incandescent lights and require manufacturers to stop producing them starting July 1. Utilities Director Jeff Brediger said the DOE encourages the usage of LED lights as they provide more light and save energy.

Mike Smucker was swore in as an officer for the Orrville Police Department. He returned to serve in his hometown after spending 22 years with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office where he attained the rank of lieutenant.

UP NEXT Council next meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 15.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Downtown Orrville building on track to get mural sporting train engine