Strasburg Village Council passes resolutions on applying for grants

The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
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Strasburg Village Council

Tuesday meeting

KEY ACTION: Passed a resolution authorizing the Mid-Eastern Government Association (OMEGA) to serve as lead for a technical assistance grant application for the Appalachian Community Grant Program in Tuscarawas County.

DISCUSSION: Mayor Steve Smith said funding is available and OMEGA is applying for the entire county. Town meetings will be held to explain the project, if grant funds are received.

“Our project, if funded, would be for revitalization extending the village walking trail to County Road 99,” Smith said.”

In another matter, council passed a resolution to apply for a TAP grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for a pedestrian enhancement project. It would include curbs, lighting and other enhancements. The total construction cost would be about $1.7 million with the village’s cost at about $110,000.

Council pro-tem Jeff Smith said if the village receives the funding, revitalization will be done from Second Street NW to Fourth Street SW. The application is due Jan. 31. Jeff Smith said if funding is awarded, meetings will be held with residents about what they may want in the downtown area and the safe route to schools grant that the village recently received.

OTHER ACTION:

  • Passed a resolution for a lease-purchase agreement with Master Equipment between the village and Community First National Bank for 4.7% interest for a 2024 custom-built 2,000-gallon pumper-tanker fire vehicle. Law Director Terry Seeberger said Franklin Township Trustees Doug Hensel, Chad Bonifant and Brent Metzger were concerned about purchasing a 2,000-gallon pumper vehicle and agreed to contribute $50,000 of fire levy funds. The township also has a title to a grass firetruck and wants it revamped. Councilman Marty Zehnder cast the lone no vote and said he thought the trustees were onboard with the purchase and said he would not have voted for the purchase of the truck at the November meeting if he was aware of the trustees stand.

  • Passed a resolution approving ODOT to maintain U.S. Routes 21/250 through the village.

  • Discussed the purchase of a new police cruiser. Police Chief Dave Warrick said they are researching and will bring the information to council. He said the police responded to 204 calls in November.

  • Held the first reading of an ordinance establishing pay rates for village employees. Employees, excluding the mayor and council members, will receive a 5% pay increase if approved by council. Martin Luther King Day has been added to the list of paid holidays for employees.

  • Passed a resolution to place a police protection levy on the May 2023 ballot.

FOR YOUR INFO:

  • Held a moment of silence for the late Eddie Haswell, who was the water and sewer plant supervisor and served as fire chief for Strasburg.

UP NEXT: Meets at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at 224 North Bodmer Avenue.

Barb Limbacher

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Strasburg Village Council passes resolutions on applying for grants