Strasburg to seek additional police levy on May ballot

The Times-Reporter
·2 min read

Strasburg Village Council

Tuesday meeting

KEY ACTION: Strasburg Fire Chief Steve Laskey updated council on implementing a fire prevention/investigation bureau.

DISCUSSION: Chief Laskey said it would comply with the State Fire Marshal’s regulations in an effort to improve fire safety in the community.

“The purpose of the inspection is not to put people out of business but to improve safety. Letters will be sent to businesses and actual inspections will begin in a few months,” Laskey said. ”The purpose of the letter is to inform all businesses and or administration buildings in the village and Franklin Township that starting in March 2023 the fire prevention bureau will begin calling and scheduling pre-inspections.”

Laskey said as many, if not all of the businesses, in their response area have not been inspected, there will be an adjustment period before full inspections are completed. This will allow for the businesses and the bureau to transition into the full inspection phase. The agency will present a general list of items which includes fire protection, means of egress, electrical, fire and draft stopping and general safety. For questions, call Laskey at 330-827-4026.

In another matter, council passed a resolution requesting the county auditor to certify the village’s valuation of taxable real estate within the village’s boundary for a certain millage. Tuscarawas County Auditor Larry Lindberg attended the meeting to approve the request.

Council then passed a resolution to proceed with a May election to submit a 3.7-mill, five-year levy for the police. According to legal counsel Terry Seeberger, it must be listed on the ballot as an additional levy. If voters approve the levy, the current 1.5-mill police levy will be repealed and not collected. Levy funds would be used for equipment, wages and anything pertaining to the police.

OTHER ACTION:

  • Heard the village’s website is being updated and the crosswalk at Fourth Street SE is now operating.

  • Learned the traffic lights on U.S. Route 250/ state Route 21 had LED lights installed by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

  • Approved a four-year fire contract with Franklin Township.

  • Adopted, as an emergency, an ordinance to hire Benjamin Robb, as a full-time police officer, effective when all requirements are met. He will receive $22 per hour. The action brings the police force to full strength with six full-time police officers.

UP NEXT: Meets at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at 224 North Bodmer Ave.

Barb Limbacher

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Strasburg to seek additional police levy on May ballot