Tony Johnson was appointed to fill the Barnesville Village Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Ernest Howell. Howell had served on the council for 28 years.
Council made the appointment at a July 6 meeting. Johnson was sworn in by Village Solicitor Marlin Harper.
Johnson was won of five applicants for the position who were interviewed in a June 28 special meeting.
"We are grateful to have five people interested," Mayor Tom Michelli said. He added that next year there will be two council positions and the mayor's position open. He encouraged those interested in village government to run for election to those positions.
Although fireworks at Barnesville Memorial Park on July 3 were spectacular, donations are still needed if residents hope to see fireworks next year.
Councilman Brad Hudson said the park department is $2,000 short of the needed donations to break even for the cost of providing fireworks.
"If people want fireworks next year, they need to support it," Hudson said.
"It was a great show," added Mayor Michelli.
Donations can be sent to the Barnesville Park Fireworks Fund, 130 Fair St. Barnesville, OH 43713.
The upkeep of vacant property and the enforcement of the ordinance was discussed. Solicitor Harper said he, Administrator Roger Deal, Fire Chief Bob Smith and the mayor recently reviewed properties in the village in serious violation of the property maintenance code.
Letters have been issued to those property owners, who have 30 days to begin maintenance efforts. After that 30-day period, a fine of $100 per day will be issued through Mayor's Court.
"I feel we will get a good bit of compliance just by sending out the letters with a threat of a $100 a day fine," Harper said.
The letters will also include a notice of an appeals process. A board of appeals will be formed and will include Terry Hager, Mike Starr and councilman Terry McCort.
While letters have been sent to the worst of the offenders, Harper said serving notice by publication will be the second method, if those letters are not received.
Police Chief Dave Norris and his officers will deliver notices to property owners who live in the village and also post notice of violations on the door of those properties.
"The people we are starting with are those we have talked to repeatedly over the years," Deal said.
In a related matter, Mayor Michelli said a new planning commission will also be formed. Those appointed will serve six-year terms.
Council authorized the mayor to submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement/Local Transportation Improvement Program and to execute contracts. Deal said the project was submitted last year, but not funded. He said the application has been reworked to include additional pipe to be re-lined instead of replaced.
"It is a stronger application now," Deal said.
More than 3,000 feet of sewer lines in 11 locations will be relined. The project satisfies the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's requirement to reduce inflow and infiltration into the sewer system. If awarded in July of 2011, the project would in August or September.
The project will cost $189, 655. With a required $49,355 match, the village is requesting $140,300 in grant funds.
Village Operations Manager Bill Morgan gave council an update on the waste water treatment plant project. Morgan said the project is currently three weeks behind schedule, but the firm has to meet the completion date.
"Everything is moving along," Morgan said.
He said a pre-fabricated lab building was delivered on July 8 and will be completed after the installation of windows and a door.
At the previous council meeting, a priority list for paving of selected streets and alleys was reviewed by council. Councilman McCort has suggestions but ultimately said he would leave the decision up to Deal and street department employees.
Council authorized Deal to hire an architect to submit a drawing of an additional storage bin for cinders for a state permit. The architecture firm of Larry Siebieda of Bellaire was hired for $2,000. State permit fees will cost an additional $400.
Michelli reported Mayor's Court receipts for May totaling $3,805 and June totaling S3,115.
Building permits were approved for Fred Toohey, 233 Franklin St.,, installation of a tin roof and Mike Muffet, 406 and 408 Mulberry St., construction of new homes.
A request fro Dave Clift to have part of an additional street blocked off for the July 10 Eastern Ohio Charity Association Bike Show, Poker Run and Walk was denied by council. Clift requested more space for a stunt show and after some discussion, council members agreed that while they supported the bike show and think Clift did an excellent job with the inaugural event last year, they did not have enough time to consider the request or research the company performing the dirt bike stunts. Council encouraged Clift to approach them sooner next year with the same request.
A short executive session was held to discuss personnel.
The next Barnesville Village Council meeting will be Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
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