Strasburg Council rejects school district bid to use bus garage

The Times-Reporter
·3 min read

Strasburg Village Council

Tuesday meeting

KEY ACTION: After a lengthy discussion about Strasburg-Franklin School District's proposal to move the buses and two vans into a garage located on Railroad Avenue, council denied the request and voted 4-2 to keep village equipment in the garage. Liz Dreher, and Marty Zehnder voted yes. Don Wallick Kathy Burrier, Jeff Smith and Dustin Briggs voted no.

DISCUSSION: Strasburg Superintendent Vince Lindsey presented information about the jointly owned bus garage. He said late Supt. Richard Gummere obtained a grant from the Ohio Public Works program for $150,000 to partner with the village to construct a garage on village property.

“We were working together and jointly owned the garage for 20-plus years with the agreement to be renewed every 20-years. The deed could not be broken unless both parties agreed,” Lindsey said.

According to information, a former superintendent agreed to relinquish the garage to the village because he was under the impression that revenue from a well drilling-fracking company would provide funds to construct a new bus garage. However, the revenue did not become a reality and in August 2012 the board agreed to move the buses to Himes’ garage, north of the village, at a cost of $575 a month.

“The district never gave up ownership of the garage,” Lindsey said. ”Two months ago the board was asked to attend a council meeting. A letter was drafted and sent to council indicating we would not attend the meeting. The board tried to work it out by working together. This is a little disagreement but it can resolved. It is for the safety of the kids. We need to show how a school district and village can work together.”

He said the board does not want to take the issue to court. However, Lindsey said the decision may have to be settled by a judge.

“It is sad we may have to go to court when the school district owns half the garage,” Lindsey said. ”We have only heard no from council. We have no options and nowhere else to go.”

Law Director Terry Seeberger said there are mediators that may be able to help resolve the issue.

Briggs he is all for the school but questioned where the village equipment would be stored. It would be expensive to construct a village garage. Former Mayor John Bitikofer said the school and village were promised many things from the well drilling/fracking company that never came through.

OTHER ACTION:

  • Heard the school officials are discussing additional security measures at the school when asked by a council member, about a resource officer, metal detectors and cameras.

  • Heard street lights should be converted to LED by the end of 2025.

FOR YOUR INFO:

  • The finance committee will hold a meeting at 5 p.m. April 6 in Village Hall.

  • April is designated as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention month to create public awareness. Over 1,000 pinwheels have been placed on the courthouse steps in New Philadelphia to represent each case reported.

  • An Easter egg hunt will be held at 10 a.m. April 8 at Franklin Park, sponsored by the Lions Club. Children should take their own basket.

  • Spring Cleanup will be held April 11. Items should be placed with the trash and recycling.

UP NEXT: Meets at 6 p.m. April 18 at 224 N. Bodmer Avenue.

Barb Limbacher

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Strasburg Council says village vehicles will stay in bus garage