Strasburg Village Council

Barb Limbacher
·4 min read

Sept. 6 meeting

KEY ACTION Held a swearing in ceremony for eight new firefighters. Mayor Steve Smith swore in the group.

DISCUSSION: Prior to the ceremony council passed a resolution authorizing Fire Chief Steve Laskey to hire Jeremy Rieger and Izak Farrington, to probationary firefighters/Emergency Medical Technicians.

New part-time staffers are Abbigail Edwards, Josh Stamper, Tim Hawkins, Zach Gelal, Jaclyn Derr, Paige Sugalaski, Rieger and Farrington.

In another matter, James West, of Pioneer 360, gave a presentation on Horizon’s Fiber Optic for the wastewater treatment plant and other village buildings. Currently there is no Internet at the treatment plant and the fire department has WIFI only. Fiber Optic would be considered an upgrade of the infrastructure. The information was given to the finance committee to review. The ten-year agreement would cost about $31,000 per year.

OTHER ACTION

  • Held the second reading of an ordinance enacting a new section of the village codified municipal regulations, regarding repeat violations of ordinances that require before prosecution or village “Self-Help,” action.

  • Learned several properties, in violation, have been cleaned up. Property owners at 221 Second Street NW and Third Street NW have been sent letters. Ted Foster, Zoning Inspector, said the property at Third Street has an unsafe retaining wall. He plans to get a cost to repair it. The property owner has not responded.

  • Held the first reading of an ordinance of assessment for new curbs, gutters and pavement on Fernsell Avenue.

  • Adopted a resolution of the Tuscarawas County 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan.

  • Learned an entry door at the south entrance of the fire station has been donated to the fire department. There will be installation costs. Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Zurfley gathered quotes for the door and was then offered the donation of a new door.

  • Heard until the paving project, on Rts. 21/250, is completed, at the end of each day, a double yellow line must be stripped by the Ohio Department of Transportation as a safety matter. All bumps will be removed.

  • Approved the purchase of 35-T-shirts and 35-long sleeved shirts and 16 hoodies for village employees at a cost of $1,514.

  • Approved a $75 fee for a membership to the Mayor’s Association.

  • Considered purchasing two used drag machines for the baseball fields at Franklin Park. An estimate for the equipment has not been received.

  • Accepted the donation of two sheds for the park. Youth sports are requesting electric power be installed in one of the sheds to use as a concession stand.

  • Heard meetings will be held to discuss the second phase of Safe Routes to School.

  • Heard from Aug. 15 to Sept. 5 the fire department responded to 35 Emergency calls, three fire responses, four public assists/service calls, two motor vehicle accidents, three EMS mutual aid received calls, and responded to five mutual aid calls.

  • Heard a request, that the village, seek information on another company to collect the village income tax. Fiscal Officer Jennifer Mahoney said the company was obtained through a past Village Tax Administrator and since they had all the information they have continued with its service. The service is Innovative and is located in Michigan.

  • Learned firefighters will participating in advanced firefighter training in Canton Township.

  • Heard the fire department officials are in the preliminary stages of finding a new fire apparatus, one that will equally support the operation in the village and township.

  • Plans are being finalized for a community CPR education class.

  • Heard permits were issued for a 13 -foot high monument style sign at Valley Centre Mall and a covered porch in the side yard at 125 Third St. SW.

  • Heard the village is still seeking donations for the LoveTusc Art sculpture to be placed at the green space. About 50 percent of the funds have been obtained.

  • Heard from Councilman Marty Zehnder, he wishes the village would have purchased the Metzger property, which is adjacent to the walking trail.

FOR YOUR INFO

  • A Fall Festival will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 in Franklin Park. Emily Crilley, Emma Huber Library Branch manager, is planning the event. There will be about 30 booths, crafts and games, free pumpkins, piñatas’ at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., pumpkin painting, food trucks, the high school band. Disc Jockey EJ Rich, and local churches will participate. There will also be a chance to win gift cards.

  • Set a finance committee meeting for 3:30 p.m. in village hall and a meeting at the green space at 5:30 p.m. both on Sept. 14.

  • Jason Rissler, Pastor of St. John United Church of Christ, offered prayer prior to the meeting.

  • Set fall cleanup for Oct. 11. The items can be set out with the trash. A list of accepted and non-accepted items is available at village hall.

  • Trick-or-treat has been set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

  • Thanked Nick Haswell for his outstanding dedication to maintaining the sign at the park entrance and the bubblegum petunias planted between the traffic lights.

  • Expressed condolences to the Randy Fearon family on his recent passing. He served as a Franklin Township trustee and local rural mail carrier for many years.

UP NEXT meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at 224 N. Bodmer Avenue.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Strasburg Village Council meeting notes