Newcomerstown mayor talks about fatal fire, economic development
NEWCOMERSTOWN − Mayor Pat Cadle referenced the recent fire that claimed the lives of a village couple and their four children when he hosted his monthly mayor’s breakfast at April’s Country Kitch’n on Dec. 31.
Cadle called the fire that killed Leroy Elliott, 36, and Terrin Hendricks, 32, and their four daughters ‒ Addison, 13, Aeriel, 9, Abigail, 8, and Alyssa, 5, “the worst fire in the history of the village” in terms of lives lost.
The mayor said the fire at 429 Spaulding Ave. was reported at 1:36 a.m. on Dec. 26, and the structure was totally engulfed by 2 a.m. Footage from a neighbor’s security camera reportedly showed flames reflected in a vehicle’s window at approximately 1 a.m.
More:Six dead after Newcomerstown house destroyed by fire
Two GoFundMe accounts have been set up for funeral expenses and several groups are planning benefits. A stuffed animal drive started by the Newcomerstown High School cheerleaders resulted in over 400 stuffed animals being donated to be given to grieving students. Cheerleaders from Ridgewood, Claymont and Malvern also took part in the drive.
Simonds factory update
Cadle gave an update on the former Simonds factory site, saying he has been in contact with two companies that might be interested in building senior housing at that location at the end of Heller Drive. He said some 40 stone grinding wheels of varying sizes have been found and saved during the work.
He said the Newcomerstown Industrial Park has been seeing “a lot of activity” with some of it related to the new multi-billion dollar Intel facility being built near Columbus.
The mayor also said the village received over $2 million in grants during 2022 and has applied for grants to renovate the downtown area, including painting buildings, new sidewalks and new light poles.
The next mayor’s breakfast will be hosted at the new Municipal Building on College Street.
Council meeting
Village council approved an ordinance allowing the Ohio Department of Transportation to do maintenance and snow removal on state highways inside village limits when council members met in December.
Police Chief Gary Holland, who is retiring in January, discussed a state grant that would help with staffing in the Police Department. Incoming chief, Opha Lawson, received permission to use American Recovery Plan funds to purchase stun guns for $14,484.76.
Jared McFarland of the Water Department explained a $50,000 grant from the Ohio EPA for a lead service line, inventory and mapping for the water department. Council voted to accept the bid, which requires a 25% local share.
Council also okayed $2,000 towards a “Love Tusc” art program that would put sculptures in 20 Tuscarawas County communities.
The traffic light at State and River streets was not working. Cadle said it would need to be treated as a four-way stop until the ordered parts come in and the light is repaired.
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This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Newcomerstown mayor talks about fatal fire, economic development
