Zoar Village Council
March 8 meeting
KEY ACTION Council heard a report on the status of village streets and alleys. The safety committee recently held a work session to discuss several issues related to the alleys and some of the streets and roadways.
DISCUSSION: At the February council meeting, a resident asked about a street/alley in front of her house and why it was not plowed. Mayor Scott Gordon said several alleys are not plowed during a snowfall. Gordon said Tuesday some alleys are closed, dead-ended, undeveloped or vacated. Gordon said all the streets on the west side of the village are dead-ended. He said there should be cul-de-sacs at the end of the streets. After much discussion the safety committee realized the issues are more complex and need further discussion. A council work session has been set for 6 p.m. March 21 in the schoolhouse.
OTHER ACTION
• Agreed to replace a catch basin in front of the Zoar post office.
• Heard a portion of the Dover-Zoar Road is eroding at the intersection of Route 212.
• Asked Bolivar police to patrol Second Street on the east side of the village. Complaints have been received about speeding. The speed limit is 35 and reduces to 25 when it enters the corporation.
• Heard the planning commission is re-directing the permit process and the zoning inspector will have the title of zoning officer. The historic preservation committee will focus on the residents that have a historic interest in the village.
• Learned the Tin Shop Coffee Shop is closing and the owners are moving. Any new owners would need to apply for a conditional use permit to operate a business in the building.
• Approved 2022 permanent appropriations of $190,426 in all funds.
• Revised Harold Raines contract to over see burials at the Zoar cemetery. Councilman Mark Gaynor is cemetery administrator. Cost for weekday burials is $475 and $600 for weekends and after 4 p.m. The cost is $125 for cremation urns however if the urns are heavy the cost is $200.
• Passed an ordinance hiring Jones Excavating LLC to open and close the graves at the cemetery.
• Held the second reading of a resolution for fire and emergency medical services agreement with Lawrence Township, Bolivar and Zoar.
• Heard the American Rescue Plan Act funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
• Learned Gordon registered with the county health department for mosquito spraying. The county only sprays if criteria for spraying is met such as as the presence of mosquito borne diseases. They will not spray based on nuisance complaints. Residents can be added to a “no spray” list by calling the health department.
FOR YOUR INFO
• The Army Corps of Engineers held a meeting Feb. 24; it was determined the latest test trench was basically the same as previous tests. Both sets of samples failed to meet the corps specifications. The contractor plans to be on-site to conduct another test trench just south of the first test. Also, a section of a natural gas line will be relocated this month near the corned of First and West Streets.
• An extension of the large diameter relief well pipes, near the base of the levee, will be replaced. The pipe for the job has been delivered.
• Flyers will soon be available to the public with information about the levee project and a large banner will be placed at the Zoar Garden fence or Zoar Store announcing “Zoar is Open for Business.”
UP NEXT meets at 6 p.m. April 12 in the Zoar Schoolhouse.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Zoar Village Council meeting
