Loudonville Council asks for increasing the appropriation for street repairs by $50,000

LOUDONVILLE - Council, on a recommendation of its street committee, directed Law Director Thom Gilman to increase the appropriation for street repairs by $50,0000 during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 5.

More: American Legion Post 257's request to close block of South Brentwood Drive tabled

The increase was requested, Street Committee Chair Matt Young explained, so chipping and sealing of some of the alleys and side streets that are in need of repair can be initiated.

According to Fiscal Officer Elaine Van Horn, there is $300,000 in the budget for street repairs, an amount which Young said was not enough to repair all the streets that need it.

When Young proposed making the increase by council motion, Gilman explained that changes in appropriations must be approved in ordinance form. He said that Village Administrator Curt Young, who was not present at the meeting, would need to specify the funds needed and that information written into the ordinance. Gilman said he could have the ordinance ready for the next council meeting, July 18.

The discussion prompted councilman Tom Young to again bring up the possibility of asking voters to approve a street levy, “simply because what we have in our budget now isn’t enough to care for all of our streets.”

Matt Young said he would try to develop a list of the streets and alleys he felt needed chip and sealing this year for the next meeting.

Village residents request to develop a wildflower meadow

In other business at the busy session, council received a unique request from property owners Dave and Vickie Neale, currently of Richfield Township, to develop a wildflower meadow on a homesite and 1 1/2 acre lot they own at 404 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Value of the wildflower meadow, Mrs. Neale said, was to create an environment of “pollination in progress.”

Mrs. Neale said they planted a hillside south of the home with wildflowers last fall, and the plantings should not be mowed for a three-year period, so they can become fully established.

Catch in their request is that the village requires property to be mowed, and generally will have maintenance department members mow unmowed lawns and bill the property owners for the service.

“It’s always a battle to get these unkempt lawns mowed and collect for it,” Tom Young said. Councilman Bill Huffman noted that “the mowing isn’t just for aesthetics, but also to discourage rodents and mosquitoes to breed in taller grasses.”

Council member Kathy Lance agreed the Neale’s proposal creates a unique situation, and Matt Young said he would like to review the village’s noxious weed ordinance further.

The Neales said they plan to overseed their wildflower meadow this fall.

Council approves purchasing American flags to be displayed downtown

Matt Young reported to the council that he had located 40 sponsors, 33 who have already paid, to purchase American flags to be displayed in the downtown. He also said he found that it would be better to mount the flags on the shepherd’s hooks holding hanging baskets in the area, rather than on utility poles, which he originally proposed.

Council approved a motion to buy the flags for a total of $3,000, with the money to be reimbursed to the village by the sponsorship fees collected by Young.

Council approved a motion by Safety Committee Chair Brandon Biddinger to increase emergency squad run rates by $50 to cover additional fuel costs.

Biddinger also asked Gilman to study the village’s noise ordinances to see if they can be used to adjudicate complaints on the use of fireworks.

He also received council approval of a request by the Gardener’s Guild to erect signs on the flower beds in Central Park announcing they are maintaining them.

New full-time firefighter and advanced EMT Sierra Goolsby receives oath

Mayor Jason VanSickle gave the oath of office to new full-time firefighter and advanced EMT Sierra Goolsby.

VanSickle also announced that he had appointed Jim Klingler to the cemetery board, filling the vacancy created with the retirement of Wayne Dessenberg.

It gave the Trinity United Church of Christ permission to erect a vacation Bible school sign in Central Park, approved allowing Cowen Truck Line to park a vintage truck by Ohio Theatre as part of the firm’s 50th anniversary celebration and approved closure of South Park Place between Water Street and South Brentwood Drive for the American Legion Post 257’s Bike Show on Saturday, July 9.

Legislation approved included the 2023 tax budget resolution, and a resolution contracting with Crestline Software to provide municipal billing software.

Next council meeting is Monday, July 18 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, 156 N. Water St., upstairs.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Loudonville Council proposes hike in street repair funding