Village signs two-year contract for gas aggregation program Barnesville Mayor Tom Michelli has signed a two-year contract with Volunteer Energy Services, Inc., allowing the village and its residents to participate in a gas aggregation program. The action was taken at the Barnesville Village Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16 and allows the village to act as a large buying power, putting the community in a better position to negotiate lower prices, resulting in savings. Voters passed the issue by 65 percent last November. Now that a contract has been signed, an application will be filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio this week. PUCO has 30 days to review and approve the application. Fred R. Holmes, director of municipal aggregation for Volunteer Energy, estimated that the program will take effect around June this year. Residents who are Columbia Gas customers will receive a letter containing terms and conditions. Holmes said those resident are automatically enrolled unless they choose to opt out of the program. Residents can opt-out at any time during the two-year contract period. Residents with delinquent accounts will not be eligible. Holmes said that other area communities are moving forward with their own legislation to participate in the gas aggregation program. The Village of Bethesda will put the issue on the ballot this May. Bridgeport approved participation last year. Holmes said Volunteer Energy is currently working with Cadiz and St. Clairsville. Holmes said the public feedback has been positive and said people seem to understand how the program works. Two public hearings were held February at the municipal building. For more information call 1-800-977-8374. Formed in 2001, Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. is certified as a Competitive Retail Natural Gas Supplier for gas marketing, gas brokering and gas aggregation services and a Competitive Retail Electric Services Provider for aggregation and power broker services by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. In other business at the meeting, council learned of a road construction project by the Ohio Department of Transportation at state routes 149 and 147 this summer. Upon council's approval, Michelli and Council President Dale Bunting signed the agreement with ODOT to maintain a detour route that includes State Route 800. The project includes the replacement of two, 36-inch culverts under State Route 147 adjacent to the intersection with State Route 149. Construction will last three days. Fire Chief Bob Smith said that the department's application for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the addition of a second story to the firehouse to provide adequate space for sleeping quarters was denied. Smith said he will continue to seek other grant opportunities for the needed addition. Bunting presented officials at the meeting with first aid kits that were also given to village employees as prizes to mark the first year of participation in a successful safety program. The mayor commended the street department and Village Operations Manager Bill Morgan for their efforts in keeping village streets clear during the heaviest snow fall the area has seen in at lest five years. Council approved the village's membership in the Belmont Regional Council for an annual cost of $1,394.25. Village Administrator Roger Deal said the council is a group of government agencies in the county. He said the group helps the village with Community Development Block Grant applications and the handling of those funds. Council also approved a building permit for Michael Muffet at 209 Railroad Street for new home construction. Barnesville Village Council will next meet Monday, March 1, at 7 p.m. in council chambers in the Municipal Building.
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